The Peoples Democratic Party’s Board of Trustees (BoT) and its National Ex‑Officio Forum have rejected recent moves by Acting National Chairman Umar Damagum, insisting that the party’s 100th National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting must hold on June 30 as earlier scheduled and that Setonji Koshoedo remains the Acting National Secretary.
What Damagum attempted
- Cancelled the June 30 NEC session and replaced it with a caucus meeting.
- Declared Senator Samuel Anyanwu reinstated as National Secretary—despite an earlier NWC decision naming Koshoedo in an acting capacity.
Damagum claimed a majority of party leaders backed his decisions. Eleven of the PDP’s 19 National Working Committee members immediately dissented, vowing to proceed with the NEC meeting and reject Anyanwu’s return.
BoT push‑back
In a statement signed by BoT Chairman Senator Adolphus Wabara, the trustees declared Damagum’s pronouncements “null and void”:
“The NEC, by Section 31(3) of our constitution, fixed June 30 for its 100th meeting at the 99th NEC session of May 27. No individual or organ can overrule that resolution.
The decision installing Arc. Setonji Koshoedo as Acting National Secretary stands until the NEC—or the National Convention—decides otherwise.”
The BoT warned it would not watch the party “descend into chaos through acts of impunity, unilateralism, and disregard for constitutional procedures.”
Ex‑Officio Forum reacts
Separately, the PDP National Ex‑Officio Forum—through Chairman Faboyede Clement and Secretary Comfort Yassan—labelled Damagum’s announcement a “betrayal” of the 99th NEC’s mandate:
“The May 27 NEC adjourned to June 30; that decision is sacrosanct. Any attempt to reinstate Senator Anyanwu without NEC approval is unconstitutional and destabilising.”
They accused Anyanwu of causing “monumental disruption” within the party and reiterated support for his continued exclusion.
Where things stand
- BoT & Ex‑Officio Forum: June 30 NEC must proceed; Koshoedo stays Acting Secretary.
- Majority of the NWC: Agree with BoT, oppose Damagum’s directives.
- Damagum & minority supporters: Insist on cancelling the NEC meeting and reinstating Anyanwu.
- INEC: Earlier declined to recognise the NEC notice due to lack of joint signatures from both National Chairman and National Secretary.
Some NEC members remain non‑committal—while party youth leader Timothy Osadolor maintains there will be only a “stakeholders’ caucus” on June 30.
With the factions dug in, June 30 is shaping up to be a decisive date for the PDP’s internal power struggle—and its bid to stabilise ahead of future elections.
