PDP Crisis Worsens as NWC Convenes Emergency Meeting Over INEC Dispute

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) is once again grappling with deepening internal strife as its National Working Committee (NWC) has summoned an emergency meeting today, Wednesday, June 25, 2025. The development follows a contentious standoff with the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) over procedural breaches and conflicting claims about party leadership.

According to Naija News, INEC recently declined to acknowledge the party’s notification for its 100th National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting due to inconsistencies and violations of standard communication protocols.

A party insider revealed that INEC’s rejection stems from discrepancies in the identity of the party’s National Secretary. INEC Chairman Mahmood Yakubu pointed out that the commission has received multiple contradictory communications from PDP, naming different individuals — Udeh Okoye, Samuel Anyanwu, and Setonji Koshoedo — as National Secretary at various times.

Yakubu stressed that the most recent letter received was improperly signed by only the party chairman, without the co-signature of the secretary, thereby breaching procedural norms.

While INEC reaffirmed its readiness for dialogue, it urged PDP to adhere strictly to its constitution and electoral guidelines. Notably, all previous 99 NEC meetings were validly communicated with signatures from both the chairman and secretary.

PDP Acting National Chairman, Umar Damagum, described the closed-door meeting with INEC as productive and pledged to consult broader party stakeholders before issuing a definitive position. He admitted that ongoing legal battles and conflicting court rulings had complicated the party’s communication with INEC.

Meanwhile, the crisis escalated after PDP’s National Publicity Secretary, Debo Ologunagba, publicly claimed that INEC had no authority over the party’s internal meetings. Damagum quickly distanced the party from those remarks, labeling them as personal and unsanctioned.

At the heart of the dispute is the fierce rivalry between Sunday Udeh-Okoye and Samuel Anyanwu over the secretary position — a struggle reportedly influenced by FCT Minister Nyesom Wike, who supports Anyanwu. In an attempt to neutralize tensions, the party had appointed Setonji Koshoedo as Acting Secretary. However, a fact-finding committee led by Taraba State Governor Kefas Agbu confirmed that INEC still officially recognizes Anyanwu as the legitimate officeholder.

This conflict has created confusion over who possesses the legal mandate to co-sign key party documents, including official communications to INEC.

While the PDP insists that it retains full constitutional control over internal matters, INEC maintains that formal procedures must be followed, particularly in dealings that extend beyond the party structure.