The Board of Trustees (BoT) of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has described the postponement of the proposedJune 30 National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting of the party as well as the reinstatement of Senator Samuel Anyanwu as the national secretary as a gross violation of the party’s constitutional order.

In a statement by the BoT Chairman, Senator Adolphus Wabara, the action of the acting national chairman was ‘’an unconstitutional pronouncement, purporting to cancel the 100th National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting scheduled to hold on Monday, 30th June, 2025 and directing Senator Samuel Anyanwu to resume as National Secretary of the Party.’’

Wabara spoke in defence of the Constitution of the PDP, which stated 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).

‘’For the avoidance of doubt, the National Executive Committee (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 at its 99th NEC meeting held on Tuesday, 27th May, 2025 to hold its 100th meeting on Monday, 30th June, 2025 is binding on all Organs and members of the PDP.

‘’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

‘’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.

‘’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 Amb. Damagum to overturn that decision is a gross abuse of office,’’ he explained.

The BoT chairman said the Board of Trustees, being the conscience of the party could not stand by idly and watch the party descend into chaos through acts of impunity, unilateralism and disregard for constitutional procedures.’

But a joint statement by Hon. Timothy Osadolo, deputy national youth leader; Ibrahim Abdullahi, deputy national Publicity Secretary; Esq Okechukwu Osuoha, Esq , deputy national legal adviser; deputy national women leader, Hajia Maryam; Hon D.U Kamale and David Eneh Chuba, supported the decision to cancel the NEC meeting and reinstate the national secretary.

Court to Hear INEC, Anyanwu, Udeh-Okoye, Others September 22

A Federal High Court in Abuja, has fixed September 22, for hearing in the suit on the authentic National Secretary of the PDP.

While the trial court and appellate court had last year sacked Senator Samuel Anyanwu as the National Secretary of the PDP, the Supreme Court had in a unanimous judgment held that issues relating to the leadership of a political party were outside the jurisdiction of any court and subsequently voided the judgments of the two lower courts.

However, before the apex court judgment Anyanwu had approached the Federal High Court in Abuja, for an order of 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 the motion on notice for interlocutory injunction.

In the ex-parte application marked: FHC/ABJ/CS/254/2025 dated and filed on February 13, Anyanwu through his lawyer, K. C. Njemanze, SAN, also sought an order of interim injunction restraining Mr Damagun from dispatching to INEC any correspondence purportedly emanating from PDP signed by the acting chair and not counter signed by him.

After taking arguments from lawyers representing parties in the suit, Justice Ekwo later fixed judgment for March 25, for judgment.

However, on the scheduled date for judgment, Anyanwu had brought an application seeking to amend their originating process to correct the issue for determination.

Following, the request the court then fixed May 19, for hearing of the motion which was also objected by parties in the suit. Besides, Justice Ekwo had slammed a fine of N150,000 against Anyanwu for stalling the court’s judgment.

Following applications for joinder, the court had included the PDP and Mr Udeh-Okoye in the suit as 3rd and 4th defendants. It also joined the National Vice Chairman, PDP South-east, Ali Odela and Deputy National Secretary of the party, Setonji Koshoedo as 5th and 6th defendants respectively.

However, the case was later transferred to Justice Umar, for determination.

At yesterday’s proceedings, Anyanwu, who was represented by U. C. Njemanze-Aku, informed the court that the matter was originally slated for mention, adding that the plaintiff had received a letter from the 5th defendant requesting that the case be adjourned till September.

Njemanze-Aku, told the court that while they were not against the request for adjournment, it would appreciate a shorter date from the court.

Akintoye Balogun, Paul Harris Ogbole, SAN, Paul Erokoro, SAN and J. C. Alum, who represented 2nd, 3rd, 4th and 6th respondents respectively also aligned themselves with the position of the plaintiff.

However, Erokoro, SAN, informed the court that the issue before it had been resolved by the apex court, adding that the apex court held that the subject matter before the court is the exclusive of political parties.

Erokoro said he would be bringing an application wherein he intended to attach the judgment of the Supreme Court.

Responding, Justice Umar subsequently directed all parties to file their response to the motion for amendment by Anyanwu, adding that the motion as well as all objections would be heard on September 22.