The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has postponed its highly anticipated 99th National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting originally scheduled for May 27, 2025, following the abrupt withdrawal of Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, from a peace agreement brokered within the party.
This latest development further exposes the internal cracks threatening the unity of Nigeria’s main opposition party.
Announcing the postponement, PDP National Secretary Senator Samuel Anyanwu stated the delay would allow the Senator Bukola Saraki-led “Way Forward Committee” to conclude its reconciliation efforts.
“This postponement is necessary to ensure a peaceful and effective NEC meeting,” Anyanwu said, reaffirming his commitment to party unity.
However, controversy erupted shortly after the announcement, with an unnamed official from the party’s publicity directorate urging stakeholders to disregard Anyanwu’s statement.
The tension underscored growing distrust within PDP leadership ranks.
Meanwhile, Wike issued a personal statement on Sunday, explaining the reasons behind his decision to pull out of the peace pact.
“Since after the 2023 general election, the PDP has been wantonly swinging from one part of a slippery precipice to another, owing fundamentally to dishonesty and lack of trust amongst its key stakeholders,” Wike wrote.
He accused Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde of exacerbating tensions and betraying agreements.
“At the end of the meeting, we resolved to bury the hatchet and make progress,” Wike said, referring to an earlier reconciliation meeting involving himself, Makinde, Bala Mohammed, Umaru Fintiri, and Bukola Saraki.
Describing the meeting at Saraki’s guest house in Abuja, Wike recounted, “I made it clear that I had no personal problems with HE. Bala Mohammed, except that he hides under the facade of Chairman of PDP Governors’ Forum to serially renege on agreements.”
Wike highlighted the key resolutions from that meeting, including that “Senator Samuel Anyanwu remains the National Secretary of the PDP in tandem with the Supreme Court judgement.”
“All legal matters relating to Rivers State must be withdrawn by the National Legal Adviser. The suit on the state of emergency be withdrawn forthwith.”
According to Wike, despite efforts to reconcile, “even before the Bukola Saraki Reconciliation Committee began its work, the gentleman’s agreement we reached at Saraki’s Guest House was already being crudely violated.”
He specifically accused Makinde and Enugu State Governor Peter Mbah of undermining the agreement.
“To my chagrin, Seyi Makinde had connived with Peter Mbah of Enugu State to orchestrate the summoning of the meeting of so-called South-East leaders to recommend that if Ude-Okoye was not adopted as Secretary, they would pull out of the PDP.”
Wike also criticized the party’s handling of communication and leadership roles.
“Again, Seyi Makinde organised some people in the National Secretariat to insist that the Deputy National Secretary should act as National Secretary, in violation of the agreement earlier reached.”
Expressing dismay, he wrote, “On the 24th of May 2025, in Jos, for instance, a well publicised and properly attended zonal elective congress of the PDP was aborted because the letter inviting INEC to the congress was signed by the Deputy National Secretary of the party… This is undeniably distasteful, provocative and annoying, to say the least.”
Reaffirming his dedication to the party despite his frustrations, Wike stated, “I have been in this party since 1998 and have worked tirelessly for the survival of this party with all my strength… I have now firmly decided to pull out of all agreements hitherto reached. I have decided to fight on until justice is attained.”
Amidst the escalating crisis, PDP’s acting National Chairman, Ambassador Umar Damagum, responded to allegations against him, particularly suggestions of incompetence and collusion with the ruling APC.”
In a BBC Hausa interview, he rejected the claims.
“May God be judge between me and whoever slandered me, and may God judge us, if I am working for the APC,” he declared.
Damagum defended his long history with PDP.
“Since I joined the PDP in 1999, I have never defected. Those who dislike me will have to find ways to either praise or criticise me to get what they want.”
Acknowledging his connection to Wike, he said, “For all those who accuse me of having links with the Minister of FCT, I know him or have had links with him, and many of them have had links with him. My only fault here is that I did not allow them to do what they wanted with him.”
He expressed sadness over the defection of some party members but dismissed claims of mistreatment.
“We must be sad. Whenever you lose someone, you don’t feel happy, even if it’s just one person you’re grieving for.”
Addressing the internal strife, Damagum noted, “PDP is one. It is true that there are internal problems… everyone has their own interests.”
He insisted his leadership style was principled and firm, stating, “I have adhered to principles and refused to yield to individual whims.”
Despite the turbulence, the PDP North-central zone successfully conducted its congress in Jos over the weekend, where Mohammed Abdulrahman was elected National Vice Chairman (North-central).
The peaceful and transparent election, held at Langfield Leisure Park, saw most officials returned unopposed.
Other officials elected included Orogu Francis (Zonal Secretary) and Ndagana Alhasan (Zonal Youth Leader).
In his acceptance speech, Abdulrahman pledged to reposition the party in the region, describing it as a PDP stronghold.
Plateau State Governor Caleb Mutfwang praised the conduct of the congress and the spirit of unity.
“Today’s congress was peaceful and successful. It clearly shows that the PDP in the North-central is alive and vibrant… I urge the newly elected executive to hit the ground running, reconcile differences, and build a strong, united front ahead of the 2027 elections.”
