Reinstatement of Anyanwu: PDP NEC Outlines Key Conditions

On Monday, June 30, 2025, Senator Samuel Anyanwu was re-elected as the National Secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), but with restrictions.
According to reports, party leaders decided at the 100th National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting in Abuja that Anyanwu could be allowed to run again if he dropped all court cases related to his position and pledged not to meddle in the August National Elective Convention.
Sources at the PDP National Secretariat reportedly stated that the Board of Trustees, governors, and parliamentarians agreed to permit Anyanwu to return as long as he complies with the regulations.

According to a source, he was asked to sign a pledge promising not to harass any party employees or interfere with the convention’s agenda.

“He also agreed to drop all of the lawsuits he brought against the party.”

Umar Damagum, the acting national chairman of the PDP, later told reporters that Anyanwu had been reinstated.

Damagum stated, “We all agreed that Senator Anyanwu will remain National Secretary.”

“And we’re going to wrap up the arrangements for the national convention at our next NEC meeting on July 23.”

Recall that last week at Wadata Plaza, Damagum met with Anyanwu and several important members of the National Working Committee (NWC). They reiterated their support and approved Anyanwu as secretary.

A few hours later, though, another group of NWC members, including Deputy National Chairman (South), Taofeek Arapaja, South-East Vice Chairman Ali Odefa, and Acting Secretary Setonji Koshoedo, met separately at the same location and approved Koshoedo’s continuation in his role as acting secretary.

More significant party divides that have persisted since the national elections in 2023 are reflected in the split.

Two opposing factions are currently embroiled in the ongoing turmoil within the opposition party: one is allied with former Rivers State Governor and current Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister Nyesom Wike, while the other is loyal to Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde.

The governors of Enugu, Osun, Zamfara, and Bayelsa support Makinde’s group, which has pushed for the NEC to move forward without Anyanwu.

Governors from Plateau, Bauchi, Taraba, and Adamawa are part of Wike’s faction, which supported Anyanwu and advocated for a postponement of the NEC.

Security Guards Block PDP Headquarters, BoT Relocates Meeting
The Board of Trustees (BoT) had to relocate its meeting to the Yar’Adua Center in order to accommodate yesterday’s NEC meeting after police and other security forces closed off Wadata Plaza due to increased tensions.

Senator Adolphus Wabara, the chairman of the Board of Trustees, and Senator Ahmed Makarfi, the secretary, responded to this development by denouncing the blockade and claiming it was an attempt to intimidate the party.

I showed up at the Bauchi Governor’s Lodge at ten in the morning as directed. The governors, the National Working Committee, and the minority leadership of the National Assembly were all present at the meeting. Its goal was to close divisions inside the party so that, at the scheduled NEC meeting, we could all stand together as one, he stated.

Visibly agitated, the governors asked why such a humiliation had taken place. Since the chairman had already made other plans at that point, it was agreed to have the meeting here in order to prevent more problems.

Interference like this is unacceptable. It threatens the freedom of opposition parties to operate and our democracy. We are determined to resolve our internal problems and show the Nigerian people that we are a strong, cohesive nation, and we will not be discouraged.

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“This morning, I almost got out of my car when I saw how some people were treated,” Wabara continued. “No, move,” I ordered my driver, because it was quite embarrassing.

I do, however, ask that everyone exercise patience. Allowing this provocation to divert us from our goal of reestablishing and fortifying our party is imperative.

Let me stress that this meeting of the Board of Directors is especially noteworthy. The fact that this is still our 80th BoT meeting should be noted. We’ll take the appropriate steps so that people will comprehend the unique conditions that led to the event in the future.

“Despite the obstacles, we are committed to preserving democratic values and making sure the PDP continues to be a strong choice for Nigerians.”

Party heavyweights, including governors, NWC members, and BoT officials, reportedly had a last-minute emergency meeting in the Bauchi Governor’s Lodge in Abuja prior to traveling to Wadata Plaza for the NEC.

A source claimed that the private meeting was essential.

“It was a very intensive meeting. Ultimately, it was decided that Anyanwu should be reinstated in accordance with the party’s constitution and that the NEC must continue, the source added.

“There were also worries that INEC might not accept another candidate for secretary, which could have legal repercussions.”

Anyanwu was there and consented to follow the conditions set for his return, according to the source.

It was understood, therefore, that the South East PDP leaders did not approve with the NEC’s decision.

According to Martin Chukwunweike, the PDP chairman in Enugu State, the region would convene and examine the results.

He stated: “The South East position is still unclear. Although NEC appears to have decided that Anyanwu could be the candidate, we in the South East haven’t really come to terms with that.”

“On that, we will meet and make a decision. Maybe tomorrow or the next day, we will get together again to discuss NEC’s stance and decide whether or not to accept.