National Secretary, NEC Meeting Dominate Agenda as PDP Governors Meet Today

Governors elected on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) are meeting today in Ibadan, Oyo State, to take decisive positions on the contentious issues surrounding the party’s National Secretary and the long-delayed National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting.

The meeting, confirmed by the PDP National Publicity Secretary, Debo Ologunagba, is expected to run from Sunday, April 13 to Monday, April 14, 2025. It comes amid growing tension within the party, particularly following the Supreme Court’s recent reinstatement of Senator Samuel Anyanwu as National Secretary—a decision that clashed with the preference of many PDP governors who backed Sunday Ude-Okoye.

A senior party source revealed that the governors are expected to address the fallout of the Supreme Court ruling, the repeated postponements of the NEC meeting, and escalating tensions in the South-South zone, especially regarding the leadership crisis within the National Working Committee (NWC). The state of emergency in Rivers State is also on the agenda, alongside discussions on how to stabilize the party ahead of the 2027 general elections.

The source described the meeting as a pivotal moment for the PDP, noting that many party members are weary of prolonged internal strife. “They must decide on critical issues in that meeting to save the party. Their resolutions and the actions that follow will play a significant role in preventing defections and determining the future of the PDP,” he said.

In a parallel effort to rescue the party from its deepening internal crisis, top PDP leaders, including former Senate Presidents David Mark and Bukola Saraki, Chairman of the PDP Governors’ Forum Bala Mohammed, former Jigawa Governor Sule Lamido, and key allies of former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, met in Abuja during the week to map out a rescue strategy.

A highly placed source revealed that the group resolved to halt talks of forming any political coalition and instead focus their resources and energy on rebuilding the PDP from within. They agreed that all political parties in the country face internal issues and that leaving the PDP to start afresh elsewhere would be counterproductive.

Other key figures at the Abuja meeting included PDP Board of Trustees Secretary Ahmed Makarfi, former Sokoto Governor Aminu Tambuwal, former Minister of Police Affairs Adamu Waziri, and former Minister of Defence Lawal Batagarawa. The governors were represented by their forum chairman, Governor Bala Mohammed, and Governor Ahmadu Fintiri of Adamawa.

According to the source, the group plans to engage all factions, reconcile differences, and restructure the party’s leadership at the upcoming national convention. They aim to prevent further defections and restore unity across all levels of the party.

Reacting to the latest developments, PDP NEC members have expressed cautious optimism. Deputy National Youth Leader Timothy Osadolor praised the gathering of high-level leaders and governors, describing it as a welcome move that could put the party back on track. He noted that the PDP is already making progress and that the involvement of respected figures could further resolve lingering issues.

Diran Odeyemi, the immediate past Deputy National Publicity Secretary, echoed similar sentiments, calling the intervention long overdue. He emphasized the importance of unity and urged all leaders to prioritize the party’s collective interest ahead of the 2027 elections.

“In politics, there are no permanent enemies, only permanent interests,” Odeyemi said. “If the goal is to win in 2027, then unity is non-negotiable. What some are running from in PDP, they’ll meet worse in other parties.”