As internal divisions deepen within the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), the party’s Deputy National Chairman (South), Taofeek Arapaja, has affirmed that the 100th National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting will proceed as scheduled on Monday, June 30, 2025.
Addressing journalists at the PDP national secretariat in Abuja on Sunday night, Arapaja dismissed a widely circulated notice about a “Special Expanded National Caucus” meeting, describing it as unconstitutional and not recognized by the party’s framework.
“We have called you to, through you, further update all members of the PDP and the general public on the activities of the Party especially with regard to the 100th meeting of the NEC statutorily scheduled for tomorrow, Monday, 30th June, 2025 and the National Convention scheduled for Thursday 28th to Saturday, 30th August, 2025,” Arapaja said.
Standing alongside other National Working Committee (NWC) membersmembers, including National Vice Chairman (South East) Ali Odefa, Acting National Secretary Setonji Koshoedo, and National Publicity Secretary Debo Ologunagba, Arapaja insisted the NEC meeting was validly scheduled by the 99th NEC session held on May 27.
“For the avoidance of doubt, the NWC assures all Party members that the 100th NEC meeting will proceed as scheduled tomorrow, Monday, 30th June, 2025 at the NEC Hall of the Wadata Plaza, PDP National Secretariat, Abuja,” he reaffirmed.
He noted that the meeting will feature updates from the Zoning Committee and the National Convention Organising Committee.
“As you are aware, the 100th meeting was unanimously scheduled by NEC at its 99th meeting held on Tuesday, 27th May, 2025,” Arapaja said.
Citing the PDP Constitution, he continued: “By virtue of Section 31(3) of the Constitution of the PDP (as amended in 2017), the Monday, 30th June, 2025 date for the 100th NEC meeting is binding on all Organs and members, and as such no Organ, group or officer of the Party has the power to alter, change, vary, veto or convert the already convened NEC meeting.”
In response to the alternate meeting proposed in some quarters, Arapaja stated: “Contrary to a purported Notice being circulated in the social media suggesting that the 100th NEC meeting has been converted to a Special Expanded National Caucus meeting, the NWC states in clear terms that the said Notice did not emanate from the PDP and should be disregarded.”
He went on to clarify that the PDP Constitution does not make provisions for any such expanded caucus.
“For the avoidance of doubt, Section 30 of the Constitution of the PDP is unambiguous in providing for a National Caucus for the Party with its composition, functions and meetings clearly spelt out, leaving no room for any form of expansion,” Arapaja said.
He stressed, “The suggestion, proposal or announcement for a ‘Special Expanded National Caucus meeting’ is therefore unconstitutional and cannot take any decision for the PDP, being not a recognised Organ or Body in the PDP.”
“The PDP is a political Party built on the foundation and pedestal of strict adherence to the Rule of Law, guided by the due process of our Party Constitution and the ethos of internal democracy, which values must be protected and preserved at all time,” he added.
Arapaja concluded by reassuring party members that both the NEC meeting and the upcoming National Convention would hold as scheduled.
“The NWC acknowledges the support and solidarity of the members of the PDP and reassures that the 100th NEC meeting and the National Convention will go on as scheduled by NEC.”
The PDP remains embroiled in internal conflict, especially over the status of its National Secretary and the legitimacy of Monday’s NEC session.
A faction aligned with Acting National Chairman Umar Damagum, including notable figures like former Rivers Governor Nyesom Wike and Governors Bala Mohammed, Caleb Mutfwang, and Adamu Fintiri, supports the reinstatement of Senator Samuel Anyanwu and the postponement of the NEC.
Last Tuesday, Damagum announced Anyanwu’s return and replaced the NEC meeting with an expanded caucus session, citing consultations with INEC, which currently recognizes Anyanwu as National Secretary.
However, another group, including Governor Seyi Makinde and 11 NWC members rejected the reinstatement, arguing that it lacked NEC approval and was procedurally flawed.
INEC reportedly declined to acknowledge the NEC meeting notification due to the absence of the mandatory joint signature of the National Chairman and Secretary, advising the party to adhere to its constitutional process.
Meanwhile, six deputy national officers have endorsed Anyanwu’s return and expressed support for the proposed expanded caucus meeting.
