The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has been thrown into fresh turmoil as National Secretary, Senator Samuel Nnaemeka Anyanwu, has openly clashed with the party’s Acting National Chairman, Ambassador Umar Iliya Damagum, accusing him and members of the National Working Committee (NWC) of gross constitutional violations.
In a fiery letter dated October 1, 2025, and made available to Politics Nigeria, Senator Anyanwu rejected the controversial dissolution of the Akwa Ibom and Cross River State working committees, describing the move as “illegal, provocative, and unacceptable.” He declared that the resolutions purportedly reached at the September 30 NWC meeting were “null, void, and of no effect.”
‘You Have Violated the Constitution’ — Anyanwu Hits Back
Anyanwu’s letter pulled no punches. He cited Section 36 (1) (b) and (e) of the PDP Constitution (2017 as amended), stressing that it is the exclusive duty of the National Secretary to convene meetings of key party organs, including the National Convention, National Executive Committee (NEC), National Caucus, and the NWC itself.
By bypassing these constitutional provisions, Anyanwu argued, the Acting National Chairman has effectively stripped the secretary’s office of its statutory role.
“You should be aware that any action or decisions purportedly reached by an illegally constituted NWC is null and void and of no effect,” he stated.
Press Statement Sparks Showdown
The crisis was triggered by a statement from the National Publicity Secretary, Debo Ologunagba, announcing the dissolution of the PDP working committees in Akwa Ibom and Cross River states and the appointment of caretaker committees to replace them.
Anyanwu immediately disowned the move, insisting that no valid NWC meeting was convened by his office. He described the attempt to sideline his constitutional role as a dangerous precedent.
“The decision to undermine the duties of my office as provided by the party constitution is provocative and grossly unacceptable by me,” he said.
‘Retrace Your Steps’ — Anyanwu Warns Damagum
Sending a stern warning, Senator Anyanwu urged Ambassador Damagum and other NWC members to “retrac[e] their steps” and abide by the PDP constitution to avoid worsening the internal rift.
“It is high time you retraced your steps and conduct yourself and the affairs of our party in strict compliance with the PDP constitution 2017 as amended. A stitch in time saves nine,” he cautioned.
Rising Tension Ahead of 2027 Elections
This latest clash lays bare widening cracks within the PDP’s national leadership, at a time the opposition party is struggling to rebuild its strength and reposition itself for the 2027 general elections.
Party insiders warn that if the power struggle between the National Secretary and the Acting National Chairman is not quickly resolved, it could snowball into a full-blown leadership crisis that may affect the PDP’s ability to unite against the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
With the PDP already grappling with defections, funding challenges, and regional divisions, the open confrontation between its top officials could weaken the party’s image as a credible alternative in Nigeria’s political space.
As the drama unfolds, political observers believe that the next steps by both camps—whether reconciliation or escalation—will determine whether the PDP can stabilize itself ahead of the critical 2027 polls.
