A significant leadership crisis continues to plague the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), primarily centered around the disputed position of the National Secretary, currently involving Senator Samuel Anyanwu. This internal conflict escalated following the rejection of Anyanwu's reinstatement by various party organs and members, alongside conflicting views on the powers of the National Executive Committee (NEC) and the National Convention.

George Tunah, the Caretaker Chairman of the PDP in Bayelsa State, asserted during a Channels Television interview that the party's National Executive Committee lacks the constitutional authority to elect or remove national officers. According to Tunah, the party's constitution explicitly states that only the National Convention is empowered to elect or remove national officers, who are elected for a four-year term. This term can only be terminated through removal, resignation, or other constitutionally enabled processes. He emphasized that unlike the National Working Committee (NWC) which can make emergency decisions for the NEC, no section of the constitution grants the NEC the power to act on behalf of the National Convention.

Tunah also challenged the claim that Anyanwu resigned when he ran for the governorship election in Imo State, stating there was no proof or resignation letter. He highlighted that the party's constitution does not mandate an officer seeking public office to resign. Furthermore, he pointed to Sections 85 and 86 of the Electoral Act, which require a 21-day notice to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for any party meeting electing or removing officers, or approving mergers. He argued that if an officer resigned, INEC would need to be formally notified, which did not occur in Anyanwu's case.

Concurrently, 11 members of the NWC issued a statement rejecting Anyanwu's reinstatement and insisting on the 100th NEC meeting scheduled for June 30, 2025. They cited Section 31 (3) of the PDP constitution, affirming that the NEC's resolution to hold this meeting is binding on all party organs and members, and cannot be varied or vetoed by any individual or group. They deemed the Acting Chairman Umar Damagum's announcement of Anyanwu's reinstatement as misleading and contrary to the NEC's resolution.

The dispute has also spilled into the judiciary. A Federal High Court in Abuja has scheduled September 22 for a hearing in the suit concerning the authentic National Secretary. While lower courts had previously sacked Senator Samuel Anyanwu, the Supreme Court later ruled that issues concerning political party leadership fall outside court jurisdiction, thereby voiding the previous judgments. Despite this, Anyanwu had sought an interim injunction to restrain INEC from accepting PDP correspondence not signed by him, and to prevent the Acting Chairman from dispatching such correspondence without his countersignature. The case, originally slated for judgment, saw delays due to Anyanwu's application to amend originating processes, leading to a N150,000 fine against him. Subsequently, the PDP, Mr. Udeh-Okoye, Ali Odela, and Setonji Koshoedo were joined as defendants, and the case was transferred to Justice Umar.

Adding another layer to the conflict, the PDP's Board of Trustees (BoT), through its Chairman Adolphus Wabara, categorically rejected the Acting National Chairman's pronouncements to cancel the 100th NEC meeting and reinstate Anyanwu. The BoT declared these pronouncements null and void, citing them as inconsistent with the PDP Constitution. The BoT affirmed that the 100th NEC meeting would proceed as scheduled on June 30, 2025, and advised all NEC members to disregard contradictory notices. Crucially, the BoT also affirmed that Arc. Setonji Koshoedo remains the Acting National Secretary, a decision made by the NWC's 600th meeting, which has not been set aside by either the NWC or the NEC. The BoT stressed its role as the conscience of the party, vowing to defend due process and uphold the supremacy of the PDP Constitution against any individual interests.

This ongoing disagreement over the National Secretary's office has persisted for months, further exacerbating the internal crisis within the opposition PDP.