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The 100th meeting of the National Executive Committee (NEC) of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) has reinstated Senator Samuel Anyanwu as the national secretary of the party.
After the NEC meeting in Abuja on Monday, the acting National Chairman, Umar Damagum, informed reporters that Senator Samuel Anyanwu was officially reinstated.
Damagum also announced that the 101st NEC meeting is set for July 23 to finalize plans for the upcoming national convention.
The PDP has been facing internal conflicts following the 2023 presidential election, affecting all party factions.
Tensions increased when the party leadership contacted the Independent National Electoral Commission on June 24 regarding the National Secretary position.
On Sunday, Acting National Chairman Damagum held a meeting with Senator Anyanwu and other key party officials at Wadata Plaza, where they expressed their commitment to hold an expanded National Caucus meeting at 2 p.m. that day and affirmed Anyanwu's status as the duly elected National Secretary.
Meanwhile, a rival faction of the National Working Committee (NWC) gathered at the party's headquarters, opposing Anyanwu's reinstatement and insisting the NEC meeting proceed as planned with Setonji Koshoedo remaining as Acting National Secretary. This division represents broader power struggles within the party.
One faction, linked to Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde and supported by other governors, advocates for the proceed of the NEC meeting and opposes Anyanwu's return.
Conversely, another faction led by former Rivers State Governor Nyesom Wike, backed by several governors and party leaders including Damagum, Bature, and Ajibade, supports Anyanwu’s reinstatement and seeks to delay the NEC meeting. Conflicting meetings by both factions at Wadata Plaza increased tensions.
However, security personnel cordoned off Wadata Plaza, prompting PDP leaders to hold an emergency meeting at the Bauchi State Governor’s Lodge in Abuja. Reports indicate that they agreed to move forward with the 100th NEC meeting as previously scheduled.
Shortly after 3 p.m., party leaders arrived at the PDP National Headquarters in Abuja. Following the meeting, Damagum asserted that the PDP has effective internal mechanisms to resolve its issues.
He stated, "I am here to brief you on the outcome of our interaction with NEC regarding the National Secretary. We've all come together in unison, agreeing that Senator Anyanwu will continue as National Secretary.
Additionally, we will discuss the convention in the next NEC meeting scheduled for July 23.
We aim to convene a proper NEC where Senator Anyanwu and I will sign off, satisfying INEC's requirements for meetings.
To those who expected this meeting to create further discord or end the party, the strength of the People’s Democratic Party lies in its ability to resolve its own challenges and operate smoothly.
All our governors and NWC members are aligned, which is why you won't see opposing press releases."
