The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) on Monday held its 100th National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting at its National Secretariat, Wadata Plaza, Abuja, after an earlier police siege at the venue.
The meeting had in attendance members of the Board of Trustees (BoT), National Assembly members, governors, and other members of the NEC.
The Acting National Chairman, Umar Damagun, in his opening remarks, noted that the gathering was the NEC meeting, and the decision was taken after the meeting with the governors.
According to him, this NEC would deliberate on only one agenda — to discuss when a proper NEC, that would discuss issues relating to the PDP convention, would be held.
He, therefore, urged members of the party to stop “demarketing” the party.
At the end of the meeting, members fixed July 23 for another NEC meeting to discuss other matters affecting the party as well as the convention.
It was also agreed that Samuel Anyanwu should continue to serve as the National Secretary.
The NEC meeting followed a closed-door meeting by the governors elected on the platform of the party at the Bauchi State Governor’s Lodge in Asokoro, Abuja.
The meeting had in attendance Governor Bala Mohammed of Bauchi State, Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State, Governor Douye Diri of Bayelsa State, as well as former Senate President, Bukola Saraki.
Speaking to journalists, Governor Mohammed, who also chairs the PDP Governors’ Forum, addressed the earlier police presence at the secretariat.
He described the blockade as necessary to “prevent miscreants” from hijacking the meeting.
Channels Television reports that the party had relocated its Board of Trustees (BoT) meeting from Wadata Plaza to the Yar’Adua Centre in Abuja’s Central Business District, citing security concerns.
“The meeting of the Board of Trustees (BoT) of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) earlier scheduled to hold by 10 am at the party’s national secretariat in Abuja has been moved to Yar’Adua Centre, Central Business District, Abuja,” the party had announced via its official handle on X (formerly Twitter).
PDP officials criticised the police deployment to Wadata Plaza, calling it an act of harassment.
Several BoT members, including Maina Chiroma and Bode George, were reportedly denied access to the premises.
A former national secretary of the PDP, Umar Tsauri, told Channels Television that the police claimed they were acting on an “order from above”.
The FCT Police Command, however, denied sealing off the secretariat.
In a statement, its spokesperson, Josephine Adeh, said officers were only deployed to maintain law and order, stating, “At no time was the Secretariat sealed off by the police.”
The events of Monday came amid lingering internal crises within the PDP, particularly concerning the party’s leadership and the position of National Secretary.
Acting National Chairman, Umar Damagum, had last week announced a postponement of the PDP’s 100th National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting, but the National Working Committee (NWC) rejected the move, insisting the meeting would proceed as scheduled on 30 June 2025.
The NWC argued that only the NEC had the power to postpone such meetings.
A major point of contention remains the position of National Secretary, claimed by both Samuel Anyanwu and Sunday Ude-Okoye.
Damagum had announced Anyanwu’s reinstatement last week, a decision the NWC also opposed.
The dispute has resulted in multiple legal battles.
Although the Supreme Court issued a judgment in March, both factions continue to interpret the ruling in their favour.
Another suit on the matter is scheduled for hearing at the Federal High Court in Abuja on 22 September 2025.
