The crisis within the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has deepened as its Board of Trustees (BoT), on Thursday, rejected the cancellation of the party’s 100th National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting, which was earlier scheduled for 30 June.

After a meeting with INEC on Tuesday, the Acting National Chairman of the PDP, Umar Damagum announced the reimbursement of the party’s National Secretary, Samuel Anyanwu, and the cancellation of the NEC meeting at a press briefing the following day.

In a statement, the BoT Chairman, Adolphus Wabara, described the action by Mr Damagum, as unconstitutional and a gross violation of the PDP constitution.

Mr Wabara, a former Senate president, also faulted Mr Damagum’s directive reinstating Samuel Anyanwu as the party’s national secretary, insisting it contradicts legal precedent and internal party resolutions.

“The attention of the Board of Trustees of the PDP has been drawn to an unconstitutional pronouncement by the Acting National Chairman of our great party, Amb. Umar Iliya Damagum, purporting to cancel the 100th NEC meeting scheduled for Monday, 30th June, 2025, and directing Senator Samuel Anyanwu to resume as National Secretary of the party.

“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),” he said.

Since losing federal power in 2015, the PDP has faced a persistent internal crisis surrounded by leadership disputes, court battles, and defections.

A major point of contention has been the position of national secretary, a crisis that originated in 2023 when Mr Anyanwu, then the substantive secretary, emerged as the party’s governorship candidate in Imo State.

His nomination created a leadership vacuum and generated a legal battle over whether he vacated his office by contesting for the governorship. While Mr Anyanwu argued he retained his seat, a rival faction installed Sunday Ude-Okoye as his replacement.

The Court of Appeal, in a December 2024 ruling, held that Mr Anyanwu forfeited his position upon accepting the governorship ticket and declared Mr Ude-Okoye the legitimate national secretary.

Mr Anyanwu, however, appealed the ruling to the Supreme Court and filed a motion for a stay of execution.

The PDP National Working Committee (NWC) appointed Setonji Koshoedo as acting national secretary to manage the impasse and prevent a vacuum.

However, a recent committee led by Taraba State Governor, Agbu Kefas, announced that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) still recognises Mr Anyanwu as national secretary.

But, at a press conference on Wednesday, Mr Damagum announced the cancellation of the 100th NEC meeting, replacing it with a national caucus session. He also declared that Mr Anyanwu had been reinstated as national secretary, stating that his decision had the support of most party stakeholders.

This move, however, was opposed by 11 out of 19 members of the NWC, who declared that Mr Damagum acted unilaterally. The dissenting NWC members insisted that the NEC meeting would proceed as scheduled on 30 June.

In response, the BoT reiterated that only the NEC or the National Convention can take such decisions.

Mr Wabara referenced Section 31 (3) of the PDP Constitution, which makes NEC resolutions binding on all members and organs of the party.

He also condemned Mr Damagum’s attempt to override the NWC’s earlier resolution, appointing Mr Koshoedo to act in that capacity and describing it as a gross abuse of office.

“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 at the 99th NEC meeting held on Tuesday, 27th May, 2025, to have its 100th meeting on Monday, 30th June, 2025, is binding on all organs and members of the PDP.

“The decision of the National Working Committee 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,” the statement said

The BoT emphasised its constitutional role as the conscience of the party and vowed to resist any actions that could plunge the PDP into chaos.

“The BoT, 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.

“The 100th NEC Meeting must proceed as scheduled on Monday, June 30, 2025. Members of NEC should disregard any contradictory statements regarding the meeting.

“Arc. Setonji Koshoedo remains Acting National Secretary pending a formal decision by the appropriate organ of the party. All members should uphold the supremacy of the PDP Constitution and resist attempts to destabilise the party,” the statement said.