The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) is engulfed in uncertainty as it approaches its scheduled 100th National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting in Abuja. Acting National Chairman Umar Ilyas Damagum, Dr. Bukola Saraki, and a team of party stakeholders are reportedly scrambling to postpone the gathering to avoid exacerbating existing tensions .
Efforts to broker peace seem to be gaining momentum, with certain dissenting figures softening their positions. Notably, National Vice Chairman (North West) Senator Bello Hayatu Gwarzo and National Treasurer Hon. Ahmed Yayari have withdrawn from the faction opposing Damagum and National Secretary Senator Samuel Anyanwu’s reinstatement. They previously aligned with spokesman Debo Ologunagba and Deputy National Secretary Setonji Koshoedo in rejecting Anyanwu’s return .
While supporters of postponement argue it could prevent further fragmentation, opponents maintain the NEC meeting cannot be cancelled unilaterally. Drawing on the PDP constitution, they stress that NEC resolutions—including scheduling decisions—are binding and cannot be vetoed by any individual or organ . Board of Trustees (BoT) Chair Adolphus Wabara insists the meeting must proceed, describing Damagum’s announcement as “null, void and of no effect,” while BoT Secretary Ahmed Makarfi aligns with Damagum. This split highlights a BoT deeply divided over the issue .
At the heart of this impasse lies what one insider termed a “coalition agenda” ahead of the 2027 elections. Allegedly, some leading members—including a senior BoT official—are plotting to defect and aim to prevent prospective candidates from competing under the PDP banner . Dr. Saraki’s committee, established by the PDP Governors’ Forum, has been conducting intensive private negotiations to resolve the differences and, according to insiders, is “making good progress” .
Ultimately, the party remains sharply divided. A group of deputy NWC officers have backed Damagum’s deferral decision, while another bloc—led by Koshoedo, Ologunagba, and nine others—demands that the NEC meeting proceed regardless of the constitutional dispute. With both camps firmly entrenched and legal interpretations at odds, the fate of the NEC meeting remains uncertain, and the risk of deepening the PDP’s internal crisis looms large.
