The Board of Trustees (BoT) of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) yesterday opposed the announcement of Samuel Anyanwu as the party’s National Secretary, even as the Federal High Court in Abuja scheduled September 22 to hear a suit on the PDP’s National Secretary dispute.

In a statement, Adolphus Wabara, chairman of the BoT, also opposed the postponement of the National Executive Council (NEC) meeting scheduled for June 30.

During a press conference on Wednesday, Umar Damagum, Acting National Chairman of the PDP, had stated that Anyanwu would resume as the party’s national secretary.

Anyanwu, an associate of Nyesom Wike, Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), was affirmed after members of the PDP NWC and several governors met with Mahmood Yakubu, chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), and other senior officials.

In a joint statement released on Wednesday, 11 NWC members said Anyanwu was not reinstated as the party’s scribe and that the NEC meeting would be held on June 30.

Anyanwu, Sunday Udeh-Okoye, and Setonji Koshoedo have each laid claim to the position of PDP national secretary.

Wabara described Damagum’s “unilateral” announcement of Anyanwu as National Secretary and the cancellation of the NEC meeting as a “gross abuse of office.”

“The BoT, in defence of the constitution of the PDP, states categorically that these pronouncements by the acting national chairman are null, void and of no effect, being inconsistent and in gross violation of the express provisions of the constitution of the PDP (as amended in 2017),” the statement reads.

Wabara stated that the June 30 date for the next NEC meeting was agreed upon at the previous session held on May 27, adding that the decision is binding on all organs and members of the PDP, as it is the highest decision-making organ.

“To this effect, being a NEC decision, no organ, group or individual has the power or competence to cancel, adjust or postpone the 100th NEC meeting already scheduled by NEC to hold on Monday, 30th June, 2025,” the statement reads.

“It is therefore not within the remit or authority of the acting national chairman to override a collective decision of the NEC. Such conduct amounts to an affront to the constitutional authority of NEC and the collective will of our party.

“Furthermore, the statement purporting to reinstate Senator Samuel Anyanwu as national secretary is equally spurious and offensive to the spirit and letter of the PDP constitution, the outcome of the Supreme Court judgment and the resolution of NEC.

“The decision of the National Working Committee (NWC) at its 600th meeting directing the Deputy National Secretary to act as National Secretary in accordance with the extant powers of the NWC remains valid, having not been set aside by the NWC or NEC. The attempt by Damagum to overturn that decision is a gross abuse of office.

“The Board of Trustees, being the conscience of the party, cannot stand idly by and watch the party descend into chaos through acts of impunity, unilateralism and disregard for constitutional procedures.”

MEANWHILE, the Federal High Court in Abuja has fixed September 22 for the hearing of the suit to determine the authentic National Secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party.

The suit, filed by the embattled National Secretary of the party, Senator Samuel Anyanwu, initially named the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and the acting National Chairman of the PDP, Umar Damagum, as the 1st and 2nd defendants.

In the ex parte application marked FHC/ABJ/CS/254/2025, dated and filed on February 13, Anyanwu, through his lawyer, Ken Njemanze (SAN), sought an interim injunction restraining INEC from accepting, acting on, or giving effect to any correspondence from the PDP not signed by him, pending the hearing and determination of a motion for an interlocutory injunction.

He also requested an interim injunction restraining Damagum from submitting correspondence to INEC purportedly emanating from the PDP and signed by the acting chairman without his countersignature.

The court, however, declined to grant the requested relief through an ex parte application, stating that it was necessary to hear from the defendants before making any orders.

Subsequently, the PDP and Mr Udeh-Okoye applied to be joined as parties in the suit, which the court approved, making them the 3rd and 4th defendants, respectively.

The National Vice Chairman (South-East) of the PDP, Ali Odefa, and the party’s Deputy National Secretary, Setonji Koshoedo, were also joined as the 5th and 6th defendants, respectively.

After hearing arguments from the legal representatives of the parties, the trial judge initially presiding over the case, Justice Inyang Ekwo, fixed judgment for March 25.

However, before the judgment could be delivered, Anyanwu submitted an application seeking to amend the originating process to address the issue for determination. The court subsequently adjourned until May 19 to hear the motion, which other parties in the case opposed.

The case was later reassigned to Justice Mohammed Umar for determination.

At the resumed hearing yesterday, Justice Umar, presiding over the matter for the first time, scheduled a definite hearing for September 22, based on the agreement of the parties.

U.C. Njemanze-Aku represented Anyanwu, while Paul Erokoro (SAN) represented Udeh-Okoye, and Paul-Harris Ogbole (SAN) represented the PDP.

During the proceedings, Njemanze-Aku informed the court that the matter was initially slated for mention and that the plaintiff had received a letter from the 5th defendant requesting an adjournment until September.

Njemanze-Aku told the court that while they were not opposed to the request for an adjournment, they would appreciate a shorter date from the court, suggesting July.

She stated, “My Lord, the matter is for mention today. We have received an e-letter of adjournment written to this court by the fifth defendant.”

Other parties present in court supported the plaintiff’s position for a shorter hearing date, aligning with July.

However, Erokoro informed the judge that the matter had already been resolved by the Supreme Court, which held that the subject was the exclusive domain of political parties, as argued by the plaintiff.

He added that he would be bringing an application wherein he intends to attach the judgment of the Supreme Court.

He said, “My Lord, this matter went to the Supreme Court. It has been to the High Court, the Court of Appeal, and the Supreme Court, and the Supreme Court agreed that the court has no jurisdiction in the matter.

“The same plaintiff who argued that the court has no jurisdiction is now the one who brought us here.”

Responding to the submissions of the parties, Justice Umar directed all parties to file their responses to Anyanwu’s motion for amendment.

On the suggestion of July as the next hearing date, the court could not find a convenient date that suited all parties and resolved that all motions and objections would be heard on September 22.

The Caretaker Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party in Bayelsa State, George Tunah, has asserted that the party’s National Executive Committee is not constitutionally empowered to elect or remove national officers.

Speaking during an interview on Channels Television’s The Morning Brief yesterday, Tunah addressed the controversy surrounding the reinstatement of Senator Samuel Anyanwu as the PDP National Secretary, which was rejected by 11 members of the National Working Committee on Wednesday.

The rejection followed a press briefing earlier in the day by the PDP Acting Chairman, Umar Damagum, who announced the cancellation of a proposed NEC meeting and reinstated Anyanwu to his position.

Tunah dismissed claims of a “99th NEC meeting,” emphasising that the party’s constitution clearly outlines the process for convening such meetings and specifies who is authorised to issue the notice.

He explained, “By our constitution, a national officer of the party is elected at the national convention for a secure term of four years. This term of office can only be cut short either by removal, resignation, or other processes enabled by the constitution.

“The only organ of our party that has the powers by our constitution to elect or remove national officers is the convention, not even the NEC,” he said.

Tunah further noted, “Unlike the situation where the constitution allows the NWC to make decisions on behalf of the NEC in cases of emergency, it is not the same with the national convention.

“No section of our constitution gives any power to even the NEC to make any decision on behalf of the convention. Whatever is restricted to the convention must be done by the convention,” he added.

Bode George confident NEC meeting will hold despite crisis
Former Deputy National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Chief Bode George, has expressed confidence that the party’s National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting will proceed as scheduled despite ongoing internal crises.

Speaking during an interview with Arise News yesterday, George described the party’s current disarray as “self-inflicted,” attributing it to internal decisions and personal ambitions rather than structural issues.

“We have had crises in the past, and this is not the first time. But I believe that those who still love this party can come together and resolve our differences. We will meet on Monday, and we will resolve our crisis,” George said.

He called on the party’s elders and custodians of its assets and liabilities to intervene and help find a resolution, expressing confidence that the crisis is surmountable and the party can move forward.

George also emphasised that organisational challenges are inevitable, stating that the PDP’s response to these issues will reflect its maturity and competence. He described the current crisis not as a breaking point but as a lesson the party can learn from.

“Our ability to confront uncomfortable truths and reassess areas of friction will demonstrate our competence to the public,” he added.

His comments come amid rising tensions within the party, with some members questioning the legitimacy of the NEC meeting. Acting Chairman Umar Damagum had earlier announced the cancellation of the meeting, citing insufficient notice to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

However, George insisted that the party’s constitution provides flexibility in such matters and maintained that the meeting would proceed as planned. He also stressed the need for party elders to play a decisive role in resolving the crisis.

In addressing claims by FCT Minister Nyesom Wike about his influence over the party, George dismissed the notion that Wike “owns” the PDP, while acknowledging his contributions to the party.

“When did Wike join the party? Who said he owns it? Okay. He has contributed his quota, yes. But to say he owns the party, that’s a fallacy,” George said.

He also criticised Wike’s recent actions, particularly his public support for President Tinubu, as being inconsistent with PDP values.

George concluded by expressing optimism about the party’s future, asserting, “The only local political party in this country is PDP. No matter who wants to leave, we will bring this party back up.”