On Monday, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) convened its 100th National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting at its National Secretariat, Wadata Plaza, Abuja, following a prior police blockade at the location.
The meeting was attended by members of the Board of Trustees (BoT), National Assembly representatives, governors, and other NEC members.
In his opening remarks, the Acting National Chairman, Umar Damagun, emphasized that this gathering was indeed the NEC meeting, and the decision to convene was made after discussions with the governors.
He stated that this NEC would focus solely on one agenda item — determining when a formal NEC meeting, which would address issues related to the PDP convention, would take place.
Consequently, he urged party members to refrain from “demarketing” the party.
At the conclusion of the meeting, members scheduled another NEC meeting for July 23 to address additional matters concerning the party and the convention.
It was also decided that Samuel Anyanwu would continue in his role as National Secretary.
This NEC meeting followed a private gathering of the governors elected under the party’s banner at the Bauchi State Governor’s Lodge in Asokoro, Abuja.
Present at the meeting were Governor Bala Mohammed of Bauchi State, Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State, Governor Douye Diri of Bayelsa State, and former Senate President, Bukola Saraki.
At the end of the meeting, members fixed July 23 for another NEC meeting to discuss other matters affecting the party as well as the convention.
It was also agreed that Samuel Anyanwu should continue to serve as the National Secretary.
The NEC meeting followed a closed-door meeting by the governors elected on the platform of the party at the Bauchi State Governor’s Lodge in Asokoro, Abuja.
The meeting had in attendance Governor Bala Mohammed of Bauchi State, Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State, Governor Douye Diri of Bayelsa State, as well as former Senate President, Bukola Saraki.
He characterized the blockade as essential to “prevent miscreants” from taking over the meeting.
The Board of Trustees (BoT) meeting of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), which was originally set to take place at 10 am in the party’s national secretariat in Abuja, has been relocated to the Yar’Adua Centre in the Central Business District of Abuja,” the party announced through its official account on X (formerly known as Twitter).
PDP officials have criticized the police presence at Wadata Plaza, describing it as an act of intimidation.
Several members of the BoT, including Maina Chiroma and Bode George, were reportedly barred from entering the premises.
Umar Tsauri, a former national secretary of the PDP, informed the News source that the police stated they were following an “order from above.”
However, the FCT Police Command refuted claims of sealing off the secretariat.
In a statement, spokesperson Josephine Adeh clarified that officers were deployed solely to ensure law and order, asserting, “At no time was the Secretariat sealed off by the police.”
These events unfolded on Monday amidst ongoing internal conflicts within the PDP, particularly regarding the party’s leadership and the role of National Secretary.
Acting National Chairman, Umar Damagum, had announced a postponement of the PDP’s 100th National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting last week, but the National Working Committee (NWC) rejected this decision, insisting that the meeting would take place as planned on 30 June 2025.
The NWC contended that only the NEC possesses the authority to postpone such meetings.
A significant point of dispute remains the National Secretary position, which is claimed by both Samuel Anyanwu and Sunday Ude-Okoye.
Damagum had declared Anyanwu’s reinstatement last week, a decision that the NWC also opposed.
This disagreement has led to numerous legal confrontations.
Despite a Supreme Court ruling issued in March, both factions continue to interpret the judgment to support their respective positions.
Another lawsuit regarding this issue is set for hearing at the Federal High Court in Abuja on 22 September 2025.
