The National Working Committee (NWC) of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has issued a strong rebuttal against claims made by the party’s Acting National Chairman, Amb. Umar Damagum, regarding the cancellation of the 100th National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting and the purported reinstatement of Senator Samuel Anyanwu as National Secretary.
In a press statement signed by key members of the NWC, including Deputy National Chairman (South) Amb. Taofeek Arapaja and Acting National Secretary Hon. Setonji Koshoedo, the party leadership clearly emphasised that the NEC’s resolutions remain binding and cannot be unilaterally overturned.
The NWC clarified that the 99th NEC meeting had already scheduled the 100th NEC meeting for Monday, June 30, 2025, and that no organ of the party has the authority to alter this decision.
“The pronouncements by the Acting National Chairman have no foundation as no Organ of the Party (including the NWC), individual or group has the power to cancel, overrule, veto, or vary the resolution of the National Executive Committee (NEC) under the Constitution of the PDP (as amended in 2017),” the statement read.
Citing Section 31 (3) of the PDP Constitution, the NWC stressed that “the resolution of the NEC to hold its 100th meeting on Monday, 30th June, 2025, is binding on all Organs, Officers, Chapters, and members of the Party.”
The NWC also dismissed reports that Senator Samuel Anyanwu had been reinstated as National Secretary, describing the claim as “misleading.”
“The claim by Amb. Damagum that Sen. Samuel Anyanwu has been asked to resume office as the National Secretary of the Party is therefore misleading, being contrary to the resolution of NEC,” the statement declared.
The 99th NEC meeting had previously referred all matters concerning the National Secretary’s office to the upcoming 100th NEC meeting, meaning no decision on Anyanwu’s status could be made before then.
The public disagreement highlights deepening divisions within the PDP’s leadership as the party prepares for critical discussions on its future direction.
However, the NWC’s swift response underscores the party’s commitment to constitutional processes. “In the light of the foregoing, the 100th NEC meeting as scheduled for Monday, 30th June, 2025, has not been canceled or postponed,” the statement firmly concluded.
The statement was endorsed by prominent PDP leaders, including:
- Amb. Taofeek Arapaja – Deputy National Chairman (South)
- Hon. Setonji Koshoedo – Acting National Secretary
- Hon. Debo Ologunagba – National Publicity Secretary
- High Chief Ali Odefa – National Vice Chairman (South East)
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