The PDP is in a serious crisis right now. It has been in crisis since the party lost the 2023 Presidential elections. What heightened the state of crisis over the last 2 years was the rumour that has been making the rounds that Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, the flagbearer of the PDP in the 2023 general elections is desirous of running again in 2027.
Many don’t want him to run again. Opinion is divided. Over the last few months, there has been a big fight between the pro-Atiku group and the pro-Wike group, over the way to go. Things got so bad recently that the PDP experienced a huge wave of defections, which led to the setting up of a Reconciliation Committee led by former Senate President, Dr. Bukola Saraki.
But that also seems not to be working well because of what happened last week. The internal crisis rocking the Peoples Democratic Party took a fresh twist, as 11 out of 19 members of the National Working Committee rejected the return of Senator Samuel Anyanwu as the party’s National Secretary.
In a joint statement issued last Wednesday, the 11 NWC members insisted that the party’s National Executive Committee meeting scheduled for Monday, June 30, 2025, would hold as planned.
They dismissed claims made by the Acting National Chairman, Umar Damagum, that Anyanwu had been asked to resume duties and that the NEC meeting had been cancelled.
“Furthermore, the claim by Amb. Damagum that Sen. Samuel Anyanwu has been asked to resume office as the National Secretary of the Party is therefore misleading being contrary to the resolution of NEC.
“In the light of the foregoing, the 100th NEC meeting as scheduled for Monday, 30th June, 2025, has not been cancelled or postponed,” the statement read.
The rejection comes just hours after Damagum, flanked by party leaders, including Bauchi State Governor and PDP Governors’ Forum Chairman, Bala Mohammed, and former Senate President, Bukola Saraki, told reporters after a visit to the Independent National Electoral Commission that Anyanwu had been reinstated and that the NEC meeting had been replaced by an Expanded Caucus meeting.
But the NWC 11 firmly pushed back, arguing that no individual or organ of the party has the constitutional authority to override NEC resolutions.
“The pronouncements by the acting National Chairman have no foundation. “No organ of the party, including the NWC, individual or group, has the power to cancel, overrule, veto or vary the resolution of the NEC under the Constitution of the PDP (as amended in 2017).
“For the avoidance of doubt, the NEC is the highest decision-making organ of the party, second only to the National Convention.
“By virtue of Section 31 (3) of the PDP Constitution, the resolution of the NEC to hold its 100th meeting on Monday, 30th June 2025, is binding on all organs, officers, chapters, and members of the party,” they said.
NWC members who signed the statement include: Amb. Taofeek Arapaja (Deputy National Chairman, South),
Hon. (Arc) Setonji Koshoedo (Ag. National Secretary), Hon. Ahmed Yayari Mohammed (National Treasurer),
Sir Okechukwu Obiechina-Daniel (National Auditor), Hon. Debo Ologunagba (National Publicity Secretary),
Woyengikuro Daniel, Ph.D. (National Financial Secretary), High Chief Ali Odefa (National Vice Chairman, South-East) Hon. Emmanuel Ogidi (Caretaker Committee Chair, South-South), Hon. Mrs. Amina Darasimi D. Bryhm (National Woman Leader), Sen. Bello Hayatu Gwarzo, CON (National Vice Chairman, North-West), Hon. Ajisafe Kamoru Toyese (National Vice Chairman, South-West).
The PDP crisis has been due to several internal conflicts and leadership disputes. Some. This key factors contributing to the crisis include a power struggle between Senator Samuel Anyanwu and Sunday Udeh-Okoye over the position of National Secretary has caused divisions within the party. Acting National Chairman Umar Damagum’s decision to reinstate Anyanwu has been met with resistance from some party members.
The party’s National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting scheduled for June 30, 2025, has been a point of contention, with some members insisting it should hold as planned while others support Damagum’s decision to hold an expanded National Caucus meeting instead.
The PDP has been without substantive leadership since the removal of Senator Iyorchia Ayu as National Chairman, leading to a vacuum that Damagum has struggled to fill.
The party is split into competing camps, each vying for control, which has paralyzed decision-making and hindered meaningful reconciliation or unified strategy.
City People gathered that the PDP’s internal struggles have affected its electoral prospects, alienating key voter demographics and resulting in poor performances during recent governorship elections.
The party’s crisis has also led to negative media coverage, eroding public trust and reinforcing skepticism about its ability to govern effectively.
These internal conflicts and leadership disputes have weakened the PDP’s ability to present a viable opposition, diminishing its credibility and appeal among voters.
What is Nyesom Wike’s role? Many can tell you. The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) since August 2023 is a member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and he previously served as Governor of Rivers State from 2015 to 2023.
Despite serving in President Bola Tinubu’s APC-led government, Wike claims to remain a member of the PDP, stating he obtained permission from the party before accepting the ministerial appointment.
Wike has expressed his intention to lead the PDP campaign in the 2027 general elections, specifically in Rivers State. And has vowed to continue working with the party despite serving in an APC-led government.
Wike’s appointment as FCT Minister by President Tinubu, an APC member, has raised eyebrows 2 years ago, but he asserts that he’s working towards achieving the ‘Renewed Hope’ agenda, a shared vision with Tinubu.
Wike’s relationship with the PDP got strained after he supported Sim Fubara as the PDP governorship candidate in Rivers State and worked against the PDP in the 2023 presidential election.
As FCT Minister, Wike has been instrumental in overseeing development projects in Abuja, and his influence extends beyond party lines, with some speculating about his potential role in national politics.
Wike’s position within the PDP and his relationship with the party’s leadership remains complex, with some party members questioning his loyalty. Nevertheless, he continues to assert his commitment to the PDP and his role in shaping the party’s future.
So, what is the way forward for PDP now?
Many believe the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) is at a crossroads right now and its way forward involves several key strategies like:
The need for a Leadership Overhaul. The party plans to restructure its leadership, particularly in the South-South zone, to eliminate disloyal members and prevent further defections. This move aims to strengthen the party’s internal structure and prepare it for the 2027 elections.
The party has to reposition for 2027. PDP has set its sights on reclaiming the presidency in 2027, with a clear vision to address national concerns and unite its members. The party’s national leadership has expressed optimism about producing more governors and reclaiming national leadership.
There’s a possibility of forming a mega-party coalition with PDP as the anchor, which could consolidate opposition forces and potentially unseat the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in 2027.
PDP recognizes the importance of reconnecting with grassroots supporters and plans to mobilize support across the nation. The party’s 12 governors will play a crucial role in showcasing the party’s governance capabilities and mobilizing support.
PDP advocates for electoral reform, including strengthening the independence of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to ensure free and fair elections.
The party emphasizes the need for unity and discipline among its members, with a zero-tolerance policy for disloyalty. PDP leaders urge members to prioritize the party’s collective interest over personal ambitions.
Some key challenges PDP faces include:
Mass Defections: The party has experienced a series of high-profile defections to the APC, which has weakened its internal structure and electoral strength.
Internal Crisis: PDP has struggled with internal conflicts and leadership disputes, which have affected its ability to present a united front.
Public Perception: The party’s image has been impacted by defections and internal crises, which may affect its chances in the 2027 elections.
Overall, PDP’s way forward involves a combination of leadership overhaul, repositioning for 2027, coalition building, grassroots mobilization, electoral reform, and emphasizing unity and discipline within the party.
