A fresh crisis has hit the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) as conflicting directives from senior party officials have cast uncertainty over the party’s scheduled 100th National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting, billed for Monday, June 30, 2025.
While the Deputy National Chairman (South), Ambassador Taofeek Arapaja, insists that the NEC meeting will go ahead as planned, a counter-notice purportedly issued by the National Secretary, Senator Samuel N. Anyanwu, has thrown the party into confusion, announcing a different meeting format.
Addressing journalists during a press conference in Abuja on Sunday night, Amb. Arapaja reaffirmed the National Working Committee’s (NWC) commitment to holding the landmark 100th NEC meeting at the Wadata Plaza national secretariat in Abuja.
“For the avoidance of doubt, the National Working Committee (NWC) assures all party members that the 100th NEC meeting will proceed as scheduled tomorrow, Monday, June 30, 2025, at the NEC Hall of the Wadata Plaza,” Arapaja stated.
According to him, the meeting—formally adopted during the party’s 99th NEC session held on May 27, 2025—is critical for reviewing updates from the Zoning Committee and the National Convention Organizing Committee, ahead of the party’s National Convention slated for August 28 to 30, 2025.
Citing Section 31(3) of the PDP Constitution (as amended in 2017), Arapaja maintained that no officer or organ of the party has the authority to cancel or alter the date of the NEC meeting once it has been duly scheduled and adopted.
However, confusion spread across party ranks after a separate notice began circulating on social media, indicating that the NEC meeting had been converted into a “Special Expanded National Caucus Meeting,” scheduled for the same time and venue.
The controversial notice, signed by National Secretary Senator Anyanwu, invited a broad spectrum of PDP stakeholders—including former governors, immediate past gubernatorial candidates, state chairmen, ex-NWC members, and PDP National Assembly caucus members—to what it described as an “Expanded National Caucus” session.
But Arapaja dismissed the notice as illegal and unconstitutional, insisting that no such organ as an “Expanded National Caucus” exists within the PDP’s legal framework.
“Section 30 of the PDP Constitution clearly outlines the structure, composition, and powers of the National Caucus. Any purported expansion of this body is entirely alien to our Constitution and therefore null and void,” Arapaja asserted.
He said the attempt to usurp the NEC’s authority through a parallel meeting format represented a flagrant violation of party rules and an affront to internal democracy.
“This party was built on the pillars of constitutional order, rule of law, and respect for democratic processes. No faction or officer, no matter how highly placed, can unilaterally vary a decision taken by the NEC,” he added.
The NWC, through Arapaja’s statement, has advised party members, stakeholders, and delegates to disregard Anyanwu’s invitation and turn up for the duly scheduled NEC meeting.
The conflicting communications have further exposed the undercurrents of power struggle within the PDP, particularly as the party prepares for a crucial National Convention in August that may reshape its leadership ahead of the 2027 elections.
As at Sunday night, there was no official reaction from Senator Anyanwu, whose signature appears on the controversial notice. However, sources close to the party’s secretariat suggest that the disagreement may be a reflection of deeper divisions within the NWC regarding zoning and leadership succession plans.
Observers say the coming days will be critical in determining whether the PDP can resolve its internal disputes or face further fragmentation ahead of 2027.
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