Despite deepening internal divisions, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has confirmed that its 100th National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting will take place as scheduled on Monday, June 30, 2025.
Addressing a press conference on Sunday night at the PDP National Secretariat in Abuja, Deputy National Chairman (South), Taofeek Arapaja, reaffirmed the legitimacy of the upcoming meeting and dismissed claims of a replacement “Special Expanded National Caucus” meeting. According to him, such a body does not exist within the PDP constitution.
Flanked by top party officials including National Vice Chairman (South East) Ali Odefa, Acting National Secretary Setonji Koshoedo, and National Publicity Secretary Debo Ologunagba Arapaja stressed that the 100th NEC meeting was formally approved during the party’s 99th NEC session held on May 27, 2025.
Other key officials in attendance included South East Caretaker Chairman Emmanuel Ogidi, National Woman Leader Amina Darasimi, National Auditor Okechukwu Obiechin, National Financial Secretary Woyengikuro Daniel, and National Vice Chairman (South West) Ajisafe Toyese.
“We are here to inform party members and the public that the 100th NEC meeting will hold on Monday, June 30, 2025, as scheduled, alongside preparations for our National Convention slated for August 28–30,” Arapaja stated.
He emphasized that no party organ or individual has the constitutional authority to cancel or alter the NEC meeting.
“Section 31(3) of the PDP Constitution (as amended in 2017) makes this meeting binding. Replacing it with an ‘Expanded National Caucus’ is unconstitutional and should be disregarded,” he added.
Arapaja further clarified that Section 30 of the party’s constitution defines the National Caucus’s composition and contains no provision for an “expanded” version.
Leadership Rift Widens
The party remains embroiled in a leadership tussle over the status of its National Secretary and the control of Monday’s NEC meeting.
A faction aligned with Acting National Chairman Umar Damagum including former Rivers Governor Nyesom Wike and Governors Bala Mohammed, Caleb Mutfwang, and Adamu Fintiri has pushed for Senator Samuel Anyanwu’s return as National Secretary and advocated for postponing the NEC meeting.
Last week, Damagum announced Anyanwu’s reinstatement and replaced the NEC gathering with an “expanded caucus” meeting, citing recognition from the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), which still lists Anyanwu as the party’s National Secretary.
However, a rival bloc backed by Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde and 11 National Working Committee (NWC) members has rejected Anyanwu’s reinstatement, calling it procedurally flawed and misleading.
INEC, for its part, declined to act on the NEC notification due to the absence of joint signatures from both the National Chairman and Secretary, urging the party to resolve its internal conflicts through due process.
Meanwhile, six deputy national officers have thrown their support behind Anyanwu and the proposed “expanded caucus” meeting set for June 30.
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