The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) is currently embroiled in significant internal discord, marked by conflicting directives regarding crucial meetings scheduled for Monday, June 30, 2025. This deep rift within the party’s leadership has led to confusion and parallel NWC meetings, setting the stage for a critical day at the Wadata Plaza, PDP National Secretariat, Abuja.

At the heart of the confusion are two distinct notices for meetings on the same date and at the same venue. One directive, issued by PDP’s National Secretary, Senator Samuel Anyanwu, announced a “Special Expanded National Caucus Meeting.” This meeting, scheduled for 2:00 p.m., invited a broad spectrum of stakeholders, including Statutory Members of National Caucus, Deputy National Officers, Board of Trustees (BoT) Members, all State Chairmen, all Members of the PDP National Assembly Caucus, former NWC Members (still in the party), National Ex-Officio Members, all PDP Former Governors (still in the party), and all Immediate Past Gubernatorial Candidates (still in the party). The notice explicitly stated that attendance was strictly by invitation.

However, this directive has been strongly countered by Ambassador Taofeek Arapaja, the Deputy National Chairman (South), who, flanked by other National Working Committee (NWC) members, emphatically reaffirmed the party’s commitment to holding the long-anticipated 100th National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting as originally scheduled. Amb. Arapaja stressed that the 100th NEC meeting, also set for Monday, June 30, 2025, at the NEC Hall of the Wadata Plaza, remains legally binding and unalterable. He asserted that this date was unanimously adopted during the party’s 99th NEC session on May 27, 2025, and is inviolable under Section 31(3) of the PDP Constitution (as amended in 2017). The NEC meeting is expected to receive critical updates on the work of the Zoning Committee and the National Convention Organizing Committee, ahead of the party’s National Convention slated for August 28 to 30, 2025.

Amb. Arapaja categorically dismissed the notice for an “Expanded National Caucus Meeting” as unconstitutional, stressing that no such organ exists within the PDP Constitution. He highlighted Section 30 of the party’s Constitution, which explicitly defines the structure, composition, and functions of the National Caucus, leaving no room for any form of expansion. The NWC, through Arapaja, urged all party members to disregard the controversial notice signed by Senator Samuel Anyanwu, stating it did not emanate from the PDP and could not take any decisions as it was not a recognized organ. This position was reinforced by other NWC members who stood with Arapaja, including National Vice Chairman (South East) Ali Odefa, Acting National Secretary Setonji Koshoedo, and National Publicity Secretary Debo Ologunagba, among others.

The underlying tension reveals a power struggle within the party’s hierarchy. A faction reportedly loyal to Acting National Chairman Umar Damagum, including former Rivers Governor Nyesom Wike and Governors Bala Mohammed, Caleb Mutfwang, and Adamu Fintiri, is said to be backing the return of Senator Samuel Anyanwu as National Secretary and advocating for the postponement of the NEC meeting in favor of the expanded caucus session. Damagum had previously announced Anyanwu’s reinstatement and the NEC meeting's postponement. Conversely, another camp, including Governor Seyi Makinde and 11 NWC members, has rejected Anyanwu’s return and insisted that the NEC meeting proceed as scheduled, citing the lack of NEC approval for Anyanwu’s reinstatement and labeling Damagum’s announcement as misleading.

Adding to the complexity, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) had previously declined to acknowledge the NEC notification because it lacked the required joint signature of both the National Chairman and National Secretary, advising the party to follow due process. While some deputy national officers have endorsed Anyanwu’s return and supported the June 30 expanded caucus meeting, the majority of the NWC, as represented by Arapaja, stands firm on the constitutional mandate of the 100th NEC meeting.

The PDP, founded on the principles of rule of law, constitutional order, and internal democracy, faces a significant test as these competing visions for its future collide. All eyes will be on the developments at Wadata Plaza on Monday, June 30, 2025, as the party navigates this period of intense internal discord ahead of its crucial National Convention.