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By Oscar Okhifo
The internal crisis rocking Nigeria’s main opposition party, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), took a dramatic turn on Wednesday as 11 out of the 17 members of the National Working Committee (NWC) rejected reinstatement of Senator Samuel Anyanwu as National Secretary, accusing Acting National Chairman, Umar Damagum, of overstepping his powers.
The development came just 24 hours after Damagum issued a directive announcing Anyanwu’s return to office, a move that has now sparked outrage within the party’s leadership and rank-and-file.
In an unprecedented show of defiance, workers at the PDP National Secretariat reportedly locked up their offices and staged a walkout in protest against Anyanwu’s resumption. The staff members, who have been working under Acting National Secretary, Setonji Koshoedo, refused to cooperate with Anyanwu and left the building when he arrived.
The protest was symbolic of the broader unrest gripping the party. Some members of the NWC accused Damagum of making a unilateral decision without consulting the committee, especially considering that Anyanwu had contested the Imo State governorship election under the PDP and was deemed to have vacated the Secretary position based on the party’s own guidelines.
Reacting to the development, Minister of the Federal Capital Territory and influential party figure, Nyesom Wike, condemned Damagum’s decision, describing it as “illegal and embarrassing.” Wike further faulted the party’s recent communication to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), calling it “ignorant” and accusing Damagum of attempting to usurp constitutional authority.
“The role of legal representation rests solely with the party’s National Legal Adviser, not the Acting Chairman,” Wike insisted. “This is an abuse of office and a disservice to the unity of the PDP.”
Party insiders revealed that a majority of NWC members are considering a vote of no confidence on Damagum if he does not reverse his decision. There are also growing calls within the party for an emergency National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting to address the escalating power tussle.
This crisis adds to the PDP’s growing list of internal challenges ahead of the 2027 general elections. With the leadership split and critical party organs at odds, analysts warn that the party risks alienating its support base and weakening its chances at the polls.
As of press time, neither Anyanwu nor Damagum had issued a formal response to the staff protest or the internal backlash. However, sources say further consultations are underway to salvage the situation and restore order within the PDP.