Power struggle and police clampdown plunge PDP NEC meeting into chaos

Summary

• PDP’s 100th NEC meeting disrupted by rival factions, police intervention, and leadership crisis
• Dispute over National Secretary post fuels wider constitutional and regional tensions
• Allegations of ruling party interference deepen concerns over Nigeria’s democratic stability

Abuja, Nigeria – The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Nigeria’s main opposition force, faced an unprecedented crisis on 30 June 2025 as its long-awaited 100th National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting was marred by intense internal wrangling, factional rivalry, and an unexpected security clampdown.

The NEC meeting, intended to address critical issues ahead of the party’s August national convention and 2027 general elections, became a battleground for competing factions within the National Working Committee (NWC). On one side is Acting National Chairman Umar Damagum, who announced a postponement of the NEC gathering in favour of a “Special Expanded National Caucus” meeting. Opposing him is Deputy National Chairman (South), Taofeek Arapaja, backed by 11 NWC members and the PDP’s Board of Trustees (BoT), who insisted the NEC meeting proceed as scheduled.

The Arapaja faction cited Section 31(3) of the PDP Constitution (as amended in 2017), asserting that NEC resolutions are binding and cannot be altered by any organ or individual. The BoT, led by Adolphus Wabara, dismissed Damagum’s attempt to replace the meeting, declaring the move “null, void, and of no effect.”

At the heart of the feud is a contentious battle over the position of National Secretary. Senator Samuel Anyanwu, aligned with Federal Capital Territory Minister Nyesom Wike, claims to still hold the office. However, the South-East PDP Caucus had replaced him with Sunday Udeh-Okoye following Anyanwu’s 2023 Imo State governorship bid. While Damagum controversially reinstated Anyanwu, Arapaja’s faction maintains that the matter was referred to the NEC for resolution, with Setonji Koshoedo appointed as acting secretary in the interim.

Adding to the turmoil, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) was reported to recognise Anyanwu, while simultaneously raising concerns about procedural irregularities in the party’s NEC notification. Damagum cited this as justification for postponing the meeting—a stance strongly rejected by Arapaja’s allies, who insisted INEC has no authority over internal party processes.

The crisis spilt beyond procedural disputes into regional and personal rivalries. Enugu State Governor Peter Mbah, supported by Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde, warned that the South-East might reassess its loyalty to the PDP if the zone’s position on the secretary post was ignored. Observers see this as an attempt to dilute Wike’s influence over the party’s machinery.

As tensions mounted, the situation escalated dramatically on the morning of the meeting when heavily armed officers from the Nigeria Police Force took control of the PDP’s National Secretariat in Wadata Plaza, Abuja. From around 8:30 a.m., over 70 officers barricaded access routes, reportedly to forestall a breakdown of law and order due to the planned rival meetings.

PDP officials, including members of the BoT and secretariat staff, were denied access to the building, while Thomas Ibu, a staff member in the Publicity Department, was allegedly manhandled and arrested. The reasons for his arrest remain unclear, further fuelling speculation and anger within the party.

In a post on its official X account, the PDP accused the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) of orchestrating the clampdown, claiming it was aimed at disrupting the NEC meeting. “Federal Police and other security agencies, on the orders of the All Progressives Congress, APC, are harassing Board of Trustees members and staff of our party’s National Secretariat in a bid to stop the scheduled meeting,” the party alleged. While these claims remain unproven, they have deepened suspicions of political interference.

Due to the blockade and fear of confrontation, PDP leaders loyal to the Arapaja camp were forced to relocate the NEC meeting to Yar’Adua Centre in the Central Business District of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

This episode marks the seventh disruption of the NEC meeting since the crisis began, delaying critical decisions regarding party leadership and convention planning. The instability has already prompted high-profile defections, including Delta State Governor Sheriff Oborevwori and Akwa Ibom Governor Umo Eno, eroding the PDP’s image as a credible opposition party.

On social media, Nigerians expressed alarm at the turn of events. While some users accused Damagum of subverting internal democracy, others condemned the police intervention as an assault on opposition politics, with prominent media outlets capturing scenes of tension and confusion at Wadata Plaza.

Calls are growing louder, from party elders and civil society alike, for a unity convention, respect for constitutional order, and a leadership capable of rebuilding trust ahead of the 2027 elections. Whether the party can emerge from this crisis stronger or succumb to deeper fragmentation remains to be seen.