Makinde Bloc Revolts as PDP Faces Leadership Crisis Over Anyanwu Reinstatement, NEC Meeting Postponement
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has plunged deeper into crisis as factions led by Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde and FCT Minister Nyesom Wike clashed over the party’s 100th National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting and the controversial reinstatement of Senator Samuel Anyanwu as National Secretary.
Makinde’s bloc—backed by Governors Peter Mbah (Enugu), Douye Diri (Bayelsa), Ademola Adeleke (Osun), Dauda Lawal (Zamfara), and 11 members of the National Working Committee (NWC)—insist the NEC must proceed on June 30 as originally scheduled. They firmly reject Anyanwu’s return to office.
In contrast, the Wike-aligned camp, including Governors Bala Mohammed (Bauchi), Caleb Muftwang (Plateau), Kefas Agbu (Taraba), and Adamu Fintiri (Adamawa), along with acting National Chairman Umar Damagum and other top officers, supports postponing the NEC and reinstating Anyanwu—citing a Supreme Court ruling and INEC’s position.
This division follows a closed-door meeting between PDP leaders and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), after which Damagum announced the cancellation of the NEC meeting and affirmed Anyanwu’s reinstatement.
“We will hold an expanded caucus on June 30 instead of a formal NEC meeting. The decision reflects the position of most party organs,” Damagum said.
However, 11 out of 19 NWC members rejected Damagum’s unilateral decision, asserting that only NEC has the constitutional power to alter its resolutions. They maintained that the NEC will hold as scheduled on June 30.
The internal conflict stems from conflicting interpretations of party rules and INEC procedures. INEC had rejected Damagum’s May 30 notification due to improper signatories, prompting a review of the party’s leadership protocol.
Damagum explained that INEC’s guidance was binding given the importance of upcoming elections like the FCT poll. He described the decision as a “bitter pill” necessary for party survival.
Meanwhile, PDP’s Deputy National Officers welcomed Anyanwu’s return, describing it as a victory for internal democracy and court compliance.
Minister Wike, however, slammed Damagum’s leadership, calling the reinstatement directive “illegal.” He criticized the party’s appeal to INEC as “shameful” and accused Damagum of lacking legal understanding.
“You don’t appoint a national secretary. You can’t order him to resume. That’s ignorance of the law,” Wike said at a public event in Abuja.
Despite Damagum’s announcement, the 11-member NWC faction insists that the NEC decision stands.
“No individual, organ, or group can override NEC resolutions under the PDP’s 2017 amended constitution,” their joint statement said.
Elder statesman Chief Bode George called for calm, asserting that the NEC remains the ultimate authority and that Anyanwu’s reinstatement was not proof of Wike’s control over the party.
“Let NEC decide. No one is above the party,” George affirmed.
The internal power struggle exposes deep rifts within the PDP ahead of the 2027 elections, where unity will be crucial. As factions brace for the decisive June 30 meeting, the fate of Anyanwu and the direction of Nigeria’s main opposition party remain uncertain.
