PDP holds 100th NEC meeting despite Police blockade

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) convened its 100th National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting on Monday at its National Secretariat in Wadata Plaza, Abuja, following an earlier police blockade at the venue.

The gathering, which included members of the Board of Trustees (BoT), governors, National Assembly members, and other NEC officials, was held to address pressing internal matters within the party.

Acting National Chairman, Umar Damagun, clarified during his opening remarks that the meeting would focus solely on one agenda, to fix a date for a proper NEC meeting where issues related to the party’s upcoming convention would be discussed.

He urged members to refrain from tarnishing the image of the party.

After the meeting, it was resolved that the next NEC session would hold on July 23, 2025, to deliberate on other outstanding issues, including matters concerning the national convention.

It was also agreed that Samuel Anyanwu should continue in his role as National Secretary, a position that has remained a subject of legal and internal contention.

Earlier in the day, PDP governors met behind closed doors at the Bauchi State Governor’s Lodge in Abuja’s Asokoro area.

The meeting had in attendance Governor Bala Mohammed of Bauchi, who also chairs the PDP Governors’ Forum, Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo, Governor Douye Diri of Bayelsa, and former Senate President Bukola Saraki, among others.

Addressing journalists afterward, Governor Mohammed explained that the police presence at the party headquarters was to prevent miscreants from hijacking the gathering.

However, PDP officials expressed displeasure, accusing security agents of harassment and denying entry to BoT members like Maina Chiroma and Bode George.

The party was forced to relocate its BoT meeting to the Yar’Adua Centre in Abuja’s Central Business District over security concerns.

The FCT Police Command denied sealing the party office, stating through spokesperson Josephine Adeh that officers were only deployed to maintain law and order.

The NEC meeting took place amid ongoing internal leadership disputes within the PDP, particularly over the National Secretary’s seat, which both Samuel Anyanwu and Sunday Ude-Okoye are laying claim to.

Despite a Supreme Court ruling in March, the matter remains unsettled, with a fresh legal hearing scheduled for September 22, 2025, at the Federal High Court in Abuja.

The internal wrangling has kept Nigeria’s main opposition party in crisis, even as it prepares for upcoming national elections and party restructuring.