The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has postponed its 99th National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting, previously scheduled for May 27, 2025, amid internal rifts and uncertainty over potential disciplinary actions involving former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike.
According to The Guardian Nigeria, the decision to delay the meeting was made to give more time to the reconciliation committee led by former Senate President Bukola Saraki. The party stated that the committee needs space to conclude its work on resolving internal conflicts before the NEC can meet peacefully.
In a notice signed by PDP National Secretary, Samuel Anyanwu, the party warned members against accepting unofficial announcements regarding NEC meetings. Any notice signed by the Deputy National Secretary, posing as Acting Secretary, was declared illegal and unauthorized.
Acting Chairman Blames Delay on Disciplinary Committee
Acting PDP National Chairman Ilya Damagum criticized the party’s disciplinary committee for ignoring over 40 petitions, many involving Wike’s alleged anti-party activities. Speaking on BBC Hausa’s Gane man Hanya, Damagum said the committee only acted on one petition, despite “strong grounds to remove Wike and others from the party.”
Damagum added, “Now, I am in charge of the party, they are pressuring me to expel him after he and his group succeeded in setting the party back through the things they did.”
Former PDP National Auditor Ray Nnaji also weighed in, saying, “Discipline must be enforced. Nyesom Wike is derailing the party. If he doesn’t want to remain, he should leave.”
Wike Rejects Reconciliation, Targets Governors
Amid escalating tensions, FCT Minister Nyesom Wike withdrew from agreements aimed at resolving the crisis and launched fresh attacks on Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde and Enugu State Governor Peter Mbah.
In a statement titled “PDP Crisis: My Position,” Wike blamed Makinde for failing to uphold agreements made during meetings involving PDP stakeholders like Bukola Saraki, Bala Mohammed, and Umaru Fintiri.
“Since the 2023 general election, the PDP has been wantonly swinging from one part of a slippery precipice to another, owing fundamentally to dishonesty and lack of trust amongst its key stakeholders,” Wike said.
He also insisted that Senator Samuel Anyanwu should remain as the party’s National Secretary and demanded that all legal actions involving Rivers State be withdrawn by the PDP’s National Legal Adviser.
Party Disowns Wike’s Claims
The PDP has formally disowned the agreements mentioned by Wike. National Financial Secretary Daniel Woyengikuro stated that any such deals were personal and not endorsed by the party.
“What agreements are we talking about? Wike had agreements with his friends, not with the party,” Woyengikuro said, adding that the NEC would eventually address all grievances within the party.
Elders Call for Stability and Decisive Action
Some party elders have urged the PDP to stand firm. Board of Trustees member Chief Olabode George stated:
“Anyone who is not loyal to the party should be shown the way out. Voting for an APC presidential candidate while claiming to be in the PDP is double standards.”
Meanwhile, PDP BoT member Jones Onyereri questioned the refusal to honor agreements brokered by respected party figures. He said abandoning such pacts reflects poorly on the party’s credibility.
As the party navigates this internal crisis, many members are calling for decisive leadership and resolution ahead of the next NEC meeting, the date of which remains pending.
Article updated 3 weeks ago. Content is written and modified by multiple authors.
