The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) is facing internal strife as conflicting factions within its National Working Committee (NWC) clash over the scheduling of the party’s 100th National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting.
The faction loyal to Acting National Chairman Umar Damagum announced that the NEC meeting had been postponed. However, another faction, led by Deputy National Chairman (South), Taofeek Arapaja, insists the meeting will hold as planned.
While Damagum’s group scheduled an expanded caucus meeting for 1:00 p.m. on Monday, Arapaja’s camp slated the NEC meeting for 2:00 p.m.—both at the same venue.
At a press conference on Sunday, Arapaja, joined by eight NWC members, reaffirmed that the NEC meeting would go ahead as originally scheduled on Monday, June 30.
He explained that the gathering would include updates from the zoning and convention organising committees and that the meeting had been unanimously approved during the party’s 99th NEC session held on May 27.
Citing Section 31(3) of the PDP Constitution (2017 amendment), Arapaja declared the June 30 date as binding on all organs and members of the party.
He stressed that no individual or group has the authority to alter or cancel the meeting.
He also dismissed a circulating notice on social media that claimed the NEC meeting had been converted to a “Special Expanded National Caucus Meeting.” According to him, the message was false, unofficial, and should be disregarded.
He emphasized that the PDP Constitution contains no provision for such a body and that only the formally constituted caucus, as outlined in Section 30, holds any constitutional power.
Describing the attempt to hold an expanded caucus meeting as unconstitutional, Arapaja said such a gathering lacks the authority to make binding decisions for the party.
He reaffirmed the PDP’s commitment to the rule of law and internal democracy.
Other party leaders present at the press briefing included acting National Secretary Setonji Koshoedo, National Auditor Okechukwu Daniel, Publicity Secretary Debo Ologunagba, Financial Secretary Woyengikuro Daniel, Woman Leader Amina Darasimi Bryhm, South East Vice Chairman Ali Odefa, South South Caretaker Chair Emmanuel Ogidi, and South West Vice Chairman Ajisafe Kamoru Toyese.
Meanwhile, the Damagum faction, in a separate notice signed by reinstated National Secretary Samuel Anyanwu, announced an expanded caucus meeting scheduled for 2:00 p.m. on the same day.
According to Anyanwu, attendees will include members of the national caucus, deputy national officers, members of the Board of Trustees, state party chairmen, PDP lawmakers, former NWC members still in the party, as well as ex-governors and former governorship candidates loyal to the PDP. He noted that participation would be strictly by invitation.