Inside the Tensions: PDP Leaders Clash at Critical BoT Meeting

To address the issues facing the party, the elected governors of the Peoples Democratic Party have summoned an emergency meeting for Friday in Asaba, Delta State.

This comes after supporters of Senator Samuel Anyanwu attacked the party's former Youth Leader Sunday Ude-Okoye, causing raucous scenes at the party's BoT meeting in Abuja on Wednesday.

Our research indicates that the governors' emergency conference in the capital of Delta State, Asaba, is intended to address the party's problems.

Umar Damagum, the Peoples Democratic Party's acting national chairman, claimed that party officials who are meant to bring the main opposition party together are to blame for the turmoil that is roiling it.

Speaking to members of the Board of Trustees in Abuja on Wednesday, Damagum emphasized that he would do everything within his ability to fulfil the Governors Forum and other party organs' desire that the PDP National Executive Committee convene in February.

Speaking on condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to discuss the matter, a senior member of the National Working Committee revealed that during the BoT meeting, members objected to the attack on Sunday Ude-Okoye, the former National Youth Leader, by a supporter of the beleaguered National Secretary, Samuel Anyanwu.

The source disclosed that the urgent need for a NEC meeting, ongoing zonal congress preparations, the National Secretary crisis, a report from Acting National Chairman Umar Damagum on the party's status, and an assessment of the country's current state are among the main items on the agenda for the meeting called by the Forum under the leadership of Bauchi State Governor Bala Mohammed.

Many members of the PDP blame Damagum, a close supporter of FCT Minister Nyesom Wike, for the party's internal strife, which has plagued the party since the 2023 elections.


The BoT, state chapters, zonal chapters, and the National Working Committee are currently all in crisis, with members siding with various leaders

The party's division has also grown as a result of the harsh remarks that Wike, the governor of Bauchi, and others have continued to trade.

Damagum, who described the issue as regrettable, charged that certain BoT members were complicit in the unrest.

"I want to say this with the utmost responsibility: our leaders, who are meant to bring us together, are driving part of the crisis that you see today within the NWC," he said.

"It is really unfortunate, to put it simply, where people are called. We all know how NWC operates, and some of you have been members of NWC. When I sit down as chairman, I will discover that my NWC members have been secretly summoned by specific leaders to visit particular locations.

And I want to take this chance to warn our leaders and ourselves. Despite your ambition, you don't ride on a dead horse to get where you're going. If you start a crisis just to achieve your goals, you might succeed, but your dream won't come true since by then you'll have hurt the horse you're going to use to go there.

Additionally, some of us are complicit as the party's conscience. We ought to examine ourselves and our conscience. Since it is all we have, this party is really important to us. Since this party represents the dream of Nigerians today, we should put aside our differences and try to come together so that we have a legitimate vehicle that can confront the issues that are plaguing us.

The party head also asked leaders to refrain from doing anything that might interfere with the zonal congresses' ongoing procedures.

"We all agreed that we'll have NEC (meeting) at our last meeting with the governor," he added. I would like to reassure you that we will make every effort to hold this NEC in February.

"As you are all aware, the zonal congress procedure has begun. Even yet, I urge our leaders to exercise caution when taking any actions that would tarnish these congresses. This note must be sounded since it is the foundation you are constructing to support whatever you are holding in your palm.

Adolphus Wabara, the chairman of the Board of Directors, voiced his anger with the problem in his remarks.

He advised party leaders not to let their own goals and interests to override the objectives of the party.

"This meeting takes place at a time when our great party's unity, focus, direction, and ideals are being tested in ways that necessitate thoughtful consideration and swift action," he said.
Let me start by expressing my deep unhappiness with the crises that are currently trembling the National Working Committee's leadership. It is depressing that these problems have not been resolved as elder gentlemen and women, leaders who are trusted by the public and the majority of our party members.

"The strength and credibility of our party are undermined by the inability to address these internal conflicts. Therefore, the NWC must put the survival and advancement of our great party above all other concerns and rise above individual interests. Given these difficulties, I have to stress how urgently a meeting of the National Executive Committee is needed.

"Once more, I implore the NWC to keep its word and hold the NEC meeting in February 2025 as planned. It is important to emphasize that party members across sincerely hope that the NEC meeting will take place in February.

"The NEC is still our party's top decision-making body, thus it is imperative that we get together right away to discuss these urgent issues. The NEC meeting will provide an opportunity to restate our collective dedication to the principles, discipline, and solidarity that unite us as PDP members.

Anyanwu's supporters attacked the former national youth leader, who has been posing as the National Secretary, earlier during the 79th BoT meeting at the party's national headquarters in Abuja.

On December 20, 2024, the Enugu-based Appeal Court affirmed Ude-Okoye's appointment as PDP National Secretary. The party leadership was formally informed of the ruling on December 24.

But this Monday, the Abuja Court of Appeal issued a restraining order, ordering Anyanwu to stay in office until the appeal is decided by the Supreme Court.
Anyanwu was present when Wabara opened the meeting at 12:05 p.m., and Ude-Okoye showed up five minutes later.

At exactly 12:20 p.m., Anyanwu was ejected from the conference room as a disturbance erupted in the hall.

Following their expulsion, Ude-Okoye gave the order for a few black-clad people to enter the PDP headquarters.

Before the four-hour-long meeting could proceed, it needed the combined efforts of police, Civil Defense agents, military, and Department of State Security officers to restore order.

According to an eyewitness, Ude-Okoye was speaking to the members of the Board of Directors when he was forcibly taken by certain others.

"Ude-Okoye attended the meeting at the BoT's invitation," he said. Ude-Okoye was addressing the group during the meeting when he was suddenly interrupted and ejected. The BoT chairman and other leaders were displeased by the attack and found this annoying.

They threatened to adjourn the conference as a result. But after permitting Ude-Okoye to return to the meeting, Damagum and others begged Wabara and the BoT leadership to go on.

The party officials demanded an apology from Anyanwu's followers for the assault on Ude-Okoye after he returned. When they did, the BoT recognized that court records supporting Ude-Okoye's and Anyanwu's claims to be national secretary were in place.

At its discretion, the BoT allowed Ude-Okoye and Anyanwu to attend the meeting as national secretaries rather than rejecting them. Tanimu Turaki, SAN, a former Minister of National Planning, was also given instructions by the BoT to mediate and report back to the BoT.
Violence is now a contributing factor in the problem, which is growing more worrisome. The governors have convened a meeting of the PDP Governors Forum because they are concerned. Party governors are anticipated to arrive on Friday for this summit, which will take place in Asaba, Delta State, and last from Friday to Saturday.

Ude-Okoye clarified that he left the meeting to defend himself in a post-meeting discussion with reporters.

“”I wasn't shoved out with force. I made the decision to leave in defense of myself since certain people wanted to attack me. I went outside without being pushed.

Are you referring to me or another national secretary? Since I am the national secretary, it's possible that you missed the BoT chairman's remarks. According to the chairman of the Board of Directors, a committee has been established and the matter will be resolved.

"I am the PDP's national secretary. I took up my duties on December 30, 2024, and I have already assumed office. If you look at the list of people that came to the meeting, my name is number 46. I was invited to join the BoT since I am a member per the constitution," he explained.
 

Our correspondent noted that a number of PDP BoT members were not there, including former Senate President Dr. Bukola Saraki, former National Chairman Uche Secondus, former Vice President Namadi Sambo, and former Vice President and 2023 PDP Presidential contender Atiku Abubakar.

However, a few people, including former Senate President David Mark and the governor of Bauchi, apologized for missing the meeting.

The PDP leadership issue has been characterized as a regrettable yet amusing play by the ruling All Progressives Congress.

Bala Ibrahim, the APC's National Publicity Director, commented on the incident at the party headquarters, saying that the ruling party cannot feel sorry for a party that "misruled" Nigeria for 16 years.

Ibrahim encouraged the APC Progressives Institute to teach the PDP leadership the art of politics.

"This is a message to Nigerians who made the mistake of putting their country's leadership in the hands of the PDP for 16 years," he stated. This has now demonstrated that the nation's continued progress was solely due to the prayers of its citizens. The PDP, however, has no formal program as a party.

The party lacks the ability to effectively manage itself and anything else. The current situation has demonstrated that God saved Nigerians by removing them from their position of authority. Will this party even assert that it is causing the ruling party to have sleepless nights? "With all the funfair that is coming out of it, the APC is watching the drama." They ought to visit our progressive institute, which was established by Dr. Abdullahi Gandujie, the National Chairman of the APC, to study how to play politics. They will learn how to participate in politics without harboring resentment.