PDP Notifies INEC Of June 30 NEC Meeting, Wike Warns That Excluding Anyanwu From NEC Proceedings Could Further Exacerbate The Party’s Crisis.

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has officially notified the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) of its plan to hold its 100th National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting on June 30, 2025.

In a letter dated May 30 and addressed to the INEC Chairman, acting PDP National Chairman, Umar Damagum, disclosed that the NEC meeting will take place at the party’s National Secretariat, Wadata Plaza, Wuse Zone 5, Abuja.

The notification complies with INEC’s 21-day notice requirement for NEC meetings, particularly those deliberating critical issues such as the office of the National Secretary.

A copy of the letter, obtained by DAILY GAZETTE and referenced PDP/DOM/GF.2/VOL.1J/25-078, confirmed that INEC acknowledged receipt on May 30.

A senior party member, speaking anonymously due to lack of authorization, explained that the NEC gathering aims to resolve longstanding internal matters.

According to the insider, the agenda includes resolving the tussle over the National Secretary position, ratifying zonal congresses, and reviewing key committee reports and recommendations.

The PDP has been entangled in internal crises both before and after the 2023 general elections.

These include disputes in Rivers State, unresolved congress issues in the South-South and South-East, the controversial National Secretary contest, and a recent dispute from the North-Central zonal congress.

These challenges have intensified internal tensions across multiple regions, further deepening party divisions.

The protracted conflicts have forced the postponement of the NEC meeting six times, delaying strategic decisions vital to the party’s future.

As a result, influential members like Delta State Governor Sheriff Oborevwori and Akwa Ibom State Governor Umo Eno have switched allegiance to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

In response to the National Secretary controversy, a fact-finding committee led by Taraba State Governor, Agbu Kefas, concluded that INEC officially recognized Senator Samuel Anyanwu as the PDP’s National Secretary.

This finding was shared during a National Caucus meeting held on May 27 in Abuja.

Despite this, the 99th NEC meeting held that same day refrained from addressing the issue, opting instead to reconvene on June 30.

Damagun’s letter to INEC, titled “Notice of 100th National Executive Committee Meeting of the Peoples Democratic Party,” reads in part:

“We write to formally inform and invite INEC that the leadership of our great party, PDP has scheduled our 100th NEC meeting to hold on Monday, June 30, 2025 at the National Secretariat of our party, Wadata Plaza, Wuse Zone 5, Abuja.”

“This is for the commission’s information and necessary action, please. While thanking you for your usual cooperation, kindly acknowledge receipt of this letter and please accept the assurances of our highest regards.”

Attempts to reach Damagun and the party’s National Publicity Secretary, Debo Ologunagba, for comment were unsuccessful, as they did not respond to phone calls or text messages.

Meanwhile, allies of the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, warned that excluding Senator Anyanwu from NEC proceedings could further exacerbate the party’s internal crisis.

However, the insider maintained that Damagum’s action followed the directive agreed upon at the 99th NEC.

“The letter is in order. The 99th NEC had already scheduled and announced June 30 as the date for the 100th NEC meeting.

Due to many unresolved issues from the last meeting, the party had to write INEC ahead of the next NEC meeting to ensure the commission is involved in efforts to address those pending matters.

“Don’t forget that the 99th NEC set up the National Convention Committee, the Zoning Committee, and assigned other responsibilities. So, the upcoming meeting will approve and populate the committees, as well as receive reports where necessary.

“Apart from that, the 100th NEC may also take decisive action to resolve the dispute over the National Secretary position and is expected to ratify the zonal congresses, among other key matters.”

Governor Inuwa Yahaya of Gombe State has publicly endorsed President Bola Tinubu for a second term in the 2027 general elections, citing the president’s impactful policies, particularly in agriculture and livestock development.

Yahaya made his endorsement on Saturday during the ground-breaking ceremony of a 184-hectare Agro-Livestock Industrial Zone in Gombe State.

He praised President Tinubu’s administration for initiating reforms that, according to him, have significantly benefited both the state and the broader Nigerian economy.

The governor highlighted the advancements made in the livestock sector since Tinubu assumed office in 2023, noting that the president’s administration has prioritized economic growth, job creation, and the overall welfare of Nigerians.

He pointed to the Agro-Livestock Industrial Zone in Gombe as a major beneficiary of federal support, revealing that the Tinubu-led government approved ₦120 billion for the project, with half of the funds already disbursed.

“I assure the President that for what he has done, is doing, and will do, Gombe people will follow him to the battlefield blindfolded,” Yahaya declared.

“We will work for his success in 2027. By God’s grace, his re-election is assured,” he added.

Governor Yahaya underscored the significance of the president’s investments in the livestock value chain, describing it as a much-needed boost for Northern Nigeria, where the sector plays a central role in livelihoods.

“If not for a President who loves his people and has the capacity and will, this transformation would not have happened,” Yahaya said.

“No Northern leader in 47 years of power considered investing ₦120 billion to transform the livestock sector, despite it being a predominantly Northern industry.”

He also commended President Tinubu’s broader agricultural agenda and reaffirmed his belief that current economic reforms, though challenging, are necessary for long-term national progress.

Yahaya assured Nigerians that under Tinubu’s leadership, the country is on course for a better future.

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) is preparing for a significant restructuring of its leadership, a move that could mark the end of former Vice President Atiku Abubakar’s long-standing dominance within the party.

The shift is part of a proposal to rotate top positions within the National Working Committee (NWC) among states, even as geopolitical zones retain their overall allocations.

The proposed changes stem from the recommendations of a high-powered committee led by Bayelsa State Governor, Senator Douye Diri.

According to the committee’s report, no state will retain any of the key positions it currently holds.

Party insiders say the plan is intended to promote fairness, decentralize influence, and energize the party’s base as it gears up for the 2027 general elections.

If approved, the rotation policy would disqualify several top office holders, including Acting National Chairman Illya Damagum and National Secretary Senator Samuel Anyanwu, from retaining their seats at the PDP’s August national convention.

The recommendations are set to be presented at the upcoming National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting on June 30.

The anticipated shake-up is already creating political ripples within the party.

Damagum, sources say, is considering defecting to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) to contest the 2027 Yobe State governorship, a move reportedly encouraged by his close ally, Governor Mai Mala Buni.

However, a party source cautioned, “Even if he defects, he will be blocked by Wike, who remains a powerful voice in the APC.”

Beyond leadership restructuring, the PDP’s internal zoning conversation is also shaping the debate around its 2027 presidential ticket.

A senior party official observed: “To be honest, the Atiku era is over. The mood of the party and the country is clearly in favour of the South, especially the South-East.”

Paul Ibe, the Media Adviser to former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, has strongly criticized ex-presidential aide Reno Omokri for what he described as relentless and unprovoked attacks on Labour Party’s 2023 presidential candidate, Mr. Peter Obi.

In a post shared on his verified X (formerly Twitter) account on Saturday, Ibe denounced Omokri’s actions, calling them “pedestrian, acerbic, and unprovoked attacks.”

He also questioned Omokri’s intentions and moral values.

The outburst came after Omokri posted on Friday that he had a phone conversation with Atiku, during which the former Vice President allegedly vouched for Omokri’s integrity.

Ibe, however, dismissed the claim, unleashing a scathing response in which he labeled Omokri “a master of treachery” and “an unrepentant opportunist.”

“Credibility and Reno Omokri in the same grammatical environment? Oh, what a mockery,” Ibe wrote.

“That’s an oxymoron so wild it should be banned by both logic and language.”

Ibe also raised doubts about Omokri’s moral direction, referencing his previous verbal assaults on Peter Obi and portraying his political affiliations as opportunistic and erratic.

“You say my principal has been ‘good’ to you, but that phone call you trumpet was likely just another pit stop in your never-ending pilgrimage for personal ‘goodness’,” Ibe remarked.

“Your kind of goodness isn’t ethical — it’s transactional, scavenging like a hyena sniffing out its next meal.”

Continuing his critique, Ibe accused Omokri of double standards and urged him to direct his scrutiny toward more pressing national concerns.

He pointedly mentioned the controversy around President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s academic credentials and past legal issues.

“If you really care about truth and character, join the call for the FBI to release Tinubu’s drug records in the United States,” Ibe challenged.

He further criticized what he saw as Omokri’s inconsistent political stances, suggesting that such behavior undermines his credibility and political influence.

“Reno, oh Reno, what a mockery,” Ibe concluded.

This confrontation adds to the ongoing internal discord within Nigeria’s opposition ranks, especially with political repositioning already underway ahead of the 2027 general elections.

As of the time of this report, Reno Omokri had not officially responded to Ibe’s remarks.

The House of Representatives, through its Joint Committees on Public Accounts and Public Assets, has summoned the Minister of Finance, Chief Adebayo Olawale Edun, over alleged breaches of the Fiscal Responsibility Act of 2007.

Also summoned to appear on Monday is the Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Dr. Olayemi Cardoso.

Both are expected to provide explanations regarding internal control lapses highlighted in the Auditor General for the Federation’s 2021 report.

In a letter jointly signed by the Chairmen of the two committees—Rep. Bamidele Salam (Public Accounts) and Ademorin Kuye (Public Assets), the panel requested detailed information from the finance minister and the CBN governor on the remittance of operating surpluses to the Federation Account, as required by law.

Reports from the Fiscal Responsibility Commission and the Auditor General allege that several Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs), including the CBN, failed to remit or under-remitted operating surpluses over the past six years.

This non-compliance, the reports say, violates established financial regulations.

According to Rep. Bamidele Salam, Chairman of the Public Accounts Committee, “these violations have negatively impacted the liquidity of the federal government and constitute a hindrance to effective implementation of the budgets passed by parliament.”

The committees noted they had previously given both the Finance Ministry and the CBN ample time to reconcile their financial records and clarify their positions.

The upcoming session, they explained, is intended to serve as a final hearing to resolve outstanding issues.

Beyond concerns over remittances, the lawmakers are also scrutinizing findings in the Auditor General’s statutory report which indicates that several publicly funded projects have remained incomplete for years despite being fully paid for.

“Some of these projects in Dutse, Abeokuta and other locations were awarded between 2011 and 2016 but yet to be completed according to audit reports,” the committee stated.