PDP Faces Tense Day as Warring Camps Set Parallel Meetings

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) faces a tense day as rival factions prepare to hold competing meetings at the party’s National Secretariat in Abuja today. The deepening crisis stems from the lingering dispute over the office of National Secretary.

National Chairman Umar Damagum announced yesterday that the planned National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting, originally slated for today, would be postponed. Instead, he convened a meeting of party stakeholders, co-signed by Senator Samuel Anyanwu, whom he recognises as the legitimate National Secretary.

However, a faction led by Deputy National Chairman (South) Taofeek Arapaja, backed by Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde and Enugu State Governor Peter Mbah, rejected Damagum’s postponement. Arapaja insists the 100th NEC meeting must proceed as originally scheduled, arguing that only the NEC itself can alter its calendar.

Yesterday, Arapaja reaffirmed the NEC meeting will hold today at 9am at Wadata Plaza. His camp argues that Damagum lacks constitutional authority to unilaterally convert the NEC into a stakeholder meeting. Arapaja cited Section 31(3) of the PDP Constitution, which states that NEC resolutions are binding on all party organs and officers.

In a statement, Arapaja declared: “No organ, group or officer of the party has the power to alter, change, vary, veto or convert the already convened NEC meeting.” He dismissed Damagum’s notice of an ‘Expanded National Caucus Meeting’ as unconstitutional, describing it as a ploy to sidestep party rules.

The crisis has fractured the PDP’s leadership down the middle. Those backing Damagum include PDP Governors’ Forum Chair Bala Mohammed, Senator Bukola Saraki, FCT Minister Nyesom Wike, and BoT Secretary Senator Ahmed Makarfi.

Meanwhile, the faction loyal to Arapaja, Makinde, and Mbah has the support of BoT Chairman Senator Adolphus Wabara, Chief Olabode George, Deputy National Secretary Setonji Koshoedo, and National Publicity Secretary Debo Ologunagba.

Governor Mbah, voicing frustration, warned that the Southeast zone may reconsider its membership in the PDP if the party leadership refuses to honour the region’s position backing Sunday Ude-Okoye as National Secretary.

Mbah told reporters in Enugu: “To all intents and purposes, there is no doubt where I stand. The Southeast’s position on the National Secretaryship is sacrosanct.”

Former Senate President Bukola Saraki, speaking on television, cautioned that unresolved divisions could lead to further defections. He confirmed INEC recognises Anyanwu as National Secretary, citing a March 21 Supreme Court ruling. However, Saraki admitted the crisis is hampering efforts to organise a credible convention.

The party has already lost two governors – Sheriff Oborevwori (Delta) and Umo Eno (Akwa Ibom) – to the APC.

Saraki called for generational change, urging the PDP to elect younger leaders at the next convention to restore public confidence and preserve Nigeria’s democracy.

The standoff today is seen as a crucial test of strength between the factions, with the PDP’s future direction and unity hanging in the balance.