The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has delayed its 99th National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting due to increasing apprehensions regarding the ability of the party’s primary decision-making body to take firm action against former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister, Nyesom Wike.
Originally, the meeting was set for tomorrow at the PDP’s National Secretariat in Abuja. However, it has been postponed to provide the reconciliation committee, headed by former Senate President Bukola Saraki, the opportunity to fulfill its responsibilities.
A notice titled “Postponement of the 99th NEC Meeting,” which was signed by PDP’s National Secretary, Samuel Anyanwu, indicated that a new date would be announced.
The notice states: “The above subject refers. This is to formally inform leaders and members of the National Executive Committee (NEC) of our esteemed party that the previously scheduled NEC meeting, which was to occur on May 27, 2025, has been postponed. This postponement is intended to allow the Bukola Saraki Reconciliation Committee to finalize its task of addressing certain internal disputes essential for a harmonious NEC meeting.
“Accordingly, a new date will be formally announced in accordance with the PDP Constitution 2017 as amended and the Electoral Act, 2022. Therefore, any notice of NEC meeting or publication signed by the Deputy National Secretary in the guise of Acting National Secretary is illegal, unauthorised, and should be disregarded. All inconveniences resulting from this change of date are regretted. Please accept the assurances of my esteemed regards.”
The acting National Chairman, Ilya Damagum, expressed his disappointment regarding the indecisiveness of the PDP disciplinary committee, emphasizing that the committee’s slow response to petitions, especially those concerning Wike’s anti-party actions, has played a role in the current turmoil within the party.
Damagum made these comments while answering questions during a televised program, revealing that the disciplinary committee had received no fewer than 40 petitions related to indiscipline.
He lamented that the committee had only addressed one petition, noting that such inaction has contributed to the PDP’s present state of vulnerability. He stressed, “There were strong grounds to remove Wike and others from the party.”
He remarked that at one stage, the disciplinary committee was informed that the behavior of the five troublemakers warranted expulsion, expressing regret that no action was taken until after the conclusion of the 2023 elections.
While he expressed disappointment that the committee focused solely on the petition regarding the national secretary, the acting national chairman stated that the party could have circumvented its present situation.
He bemoaned, “Now, I am in charge of the party, they are pressuring me to expel him after he and his group succeeded in setting the party back through the things they did.”
Similarly, former PDP National Auditor Ray Nnaji said, “Discipline must be enforced. Nyesom Wike is derailing the party. If he doesn’t want to remain, he should leave. His conduct is damaging the PDP—this same party made him who he is, including his current position in the APC-led government. The party must act using its constitution to restore order.”
Nnaji also condemned threats by South-East leaders over the secretary position, stressing, “It shouldn’t be by command, but dialogue. Regional leaders have not helped the situation. Even the Enugu governor has failed to improve what he met. Instead of threats, they should engage in dialogue—the party belongs to all,” he said.
Echoing similar sentiments, a party chieftain, James Uzosike, declared the urgency of enforcing discipline, adding, “The problem is leadership’s inability to act decisively on critical issues.”
Chief Olabode George, a member of the party’s Board of Trustees, called on the NEC to take a firm stand on disciplinary issues.
“Today’s meeting should not be about sentiments. Anyone who is not loyal to the party should be shown the way out. Voting for an APC presidential candidate while claiming to be in the PDP is double standards,” he said.
Nevertheless, while still invoking threats of fire and brimstone, the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, has not only withdrawn from all agreements established to facilitate a peaceful resolution of the party’s crisis but has also declared hostilities against two state governors.
Pointing to significant violations of agreements made by stakeholders, with Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde at the forefront, Wike pledged to “continue the fight until justice is achieved.”
In his remarks, he attributed the current issues facing the party to the Oyo State Governor, whom he labeled as the architect of these problems, the FCT Minister said that he told Governor Makinde that “non-adherence to agreements reached was the bane of the party, and that he was the chief culprit of this anomaly.”
In a statement yesterday titled ‘PDP Crisis: My Position,’ which he signed, the minister insisted that, in line with earlier resolutions reached by party stakeholders, Senator Samuel Anyanwu remains the PDP’s National Secretary.
“This is in tandem with the Supreme Court judgment. All legal matters relating to Rivers State must be withdrawn by the National Legal Adviser; the suit on the state of emergency must be withdrawn forthwith, and that nobody should deviate from the agreements so reached must be respected by all the parties involved,” he added.
Wike made detailed disclosures on earlier meetings and agreements reached on how the crisis in the party could be resolved, pointing out that despite his reservations, he had already agreed before noticing flagrant breaches.
Part of the statement read: “Since the 2023 general election, the PDP has been wantonly swinging from one part of a slippery precipice to another, owing fundamentally to dishonesty and lack of trust amongst its key stakeholders. To stem this ugly trend, efforts have been made to arrest this pernicious virus of dishonesty and treachery and enthrone fidelity to agreements to stabilise the party and move it forward.
“To this end, a meeting of the G5 was held in Lagos. In that meeting, I made it clear to the Governor of Oyo State, Seyi Makinde, that he was the architect of our problems, pointing out to him that non-adherence to agreements reached was the bane of the party, and that he was the chief culprit of this anomaly. At the end of the meeting, we resolved to bury the hatchet and make progress.
“As a follow-up to the aforementioned meeting, there was an expanded meeting in Abuja involving Seyi Makinde, Umaru Fintri, Bala Mohammed, and Bukola Saraki, in Saraki’s guest house.
“In that meeting, I made it clear that I had no personal problems with Bala Mohammed, except that he hides under the facade of Chairman of the PDP Governors Forum to serially renege on agreements.
“Tensions rose mightily in the meeting, and it took all concerned to calm frayed nerves. At the end of the meeting, we came to some resolutions, including that Senator Samuel Anyanwu remains the National Secretary of the PDP in tandem with the Supreme Court judgment, all legal matters relating to Rivers State must be withdrawn by the National Legal Adviser, the suit on the state of emergency must be withdrawn forthwith, and nobody should deviate from the agreements so reached.”
Meanwhile, the Peoples Democratic Party has separated itself from any agreements entered into by Wike, stating that these arrangements are personal and do not reflect the official stance of the party.
During a statement made in Abuja yesterday, PDP National Financial Secretary Daniel Woyengikuro emphasized that the party was not engaged in any transactions made by the former governor of Rivers State.
“What agreements are we talking about? Wike had agreements with his friends, not with the party. Those names he mentioned — are they the party? The party was not involved in any agreements he made. We have no knowledge of such agreements,” Woyengikuro stated.
He underscored the significance of the party’s National Executive Committee (NEC) gathering to tackle the escalating conflicts.
“The NEC will address any issues. This isn’t a physical fight or a man-to-man confrontation. All this unnecessary drama is uncalled for,” he added.
Woyengikuro rejected Wike’s public allegations and encouraged Nigerians to obtain official party positions from the relevant authorities.
“Please, reach out to the chairman or the publicity secretary for the party’s official position,” he advised.
Nonetheless, Jones Onyereri, a member of the PDP Board of Trustees, presented a differing perspective in his remarks to Vanguard on Sunday. He raised the question of why anyone would retract agreements established by esteemed party elders.
“Why would anyone renege on an agreement that elders staked their reputations to broker? These are high-ranking members of the party — sitting governors, former governors — who reached a consensus. So why go back on it? It’s not a good look,” Onyereri said.
