The internal crisis rocking the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has deepened as two factions of the party’s National Working Committee (NWC) backed by rival power blocs — Governor Seyi Makinde and former Governor Nyesom Wike — clash over the date and status of the 100th National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting.
The faction led by Deputy National Chairman (South), Taofeek Arapaja, with the backing of Makinde, insists that the NEC meeting will go ahead on Monday, June 30, as earlier scheduled and ratified by the party.
However, the opposing faction loyal to Acting National Chairman, Umar Damagum, and supported by Wike, claims the meeting has been postponed.
Adding to the confusion, both groups have announced overlapping meetings at the PDP national secretariat in Abuja — Damagum’s group fixed a controversial “expanded caucus meeting” for 1 p.m., while Makinde-backed Arapaja’s camp scheduled the NEC meeting for 2 p.m., at the same venue.
At a press briefing in Abuja on Sunday, Arapaja, alongside eight NWC members, reiterated that the NEC meeting remains valid and cannot be altered by any faction or officer.
“According to Section 31(3) of the PDP Constitution (2017 amendment), the June 30 meeting date is binding on all party organs and members,” Arapaja declared.
He pointed out that the date was formally adopted during the 99th NEC meeting held on May 27, and any attempt to change it is unconstitutional.
“The NWC clarified that the notice was fake, did not come from the PDP, and should be completely ignored by members,” Arapaja said, in response to a viral message announcing the conversion of the NEC to an expanded caucus meeting.
He maintained that the party’s constitution does not recognise any “Expanded National Caucus.”
“Section 30 of the PDP Constitution clearly defines the national caucus, its composition, functions, and meeting procedures without room for expansion,” he stated.
Arapaja, who is aligned with reformist elements led by Makinde, said the Damagum faction’s move undermines internal democracy and the party’s rule-based foundation.
“The PDP is built on strict adherence to the rule of law and the principles of internal democracy,” he added.
The Arapaja faction assured members that the NEC meeting and national convention would proceed as scheduled.
Also present at the press conference were senior NWC officials including Setonji Koshoedo, Okechukwu Daniel, Debo Ologunagba, Woyengikuro Daniel, Amina Darasimi Bryhm, Ali Odefa, Emmanuel Ogidi, and Ajisafe Kamoru Toyese.
Meanwhile, the Damagum group, in a statement signed by reinstated PDP National Secretary, Samuel Anyanwu, announced a separate “expanded caucus meeting” at 2 p.m. on Monday. This faction is reportedly backed by Wike and includes elements resistant to changes proposed by the Makinde camp.
According to Anyanwu, invitees to the Damagum meeting include statutory members of the national caucus, deputy national officers, Board of Trustees members, state party chairpersons, PDP members in the National Assembly, and loyal ex-governors and NWC members.
He stressed that the meeting would be strictly by invitation only.
