PDP govs to resolve national secretary’s position tussle today

Governors elected on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) are meeting in Ibadan, Oyo State, today (Sunday), to deliberate on critical leadership decisions, including the party’s National Secretary position and the scheduling of the National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting.

Party insiders disclosed that the meeting comes in the wake of the Supreme Court ruling that reinstated Senator Samuel Anyanwu as National Secretary—a decision that has fueled tensions within the party. The ruling overturned a prior judgment from the Court of Appeal, which had endorsed Anyanwu’s removal in favour of Sunday Ude-Okoye, the governors’ preferred candidate.

The party’s NEC meeting, repeatedly postponed amidst internal discord, is also expected to be a focal point of discussions, alongside the worsening leadership crisis in the South-South zone and the controversy surrounding a potential emergency rule in Rivers State.

A senior PDP official, who requested anonymity, described the meeting as a turning point. “There’s a need for sincerity among the governors. They are expected to make decisive moves to safeguard the unity of the PDP and avert further defections,” the source said.

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The party’s internal wranglings, which escalated both before and after the 2023 general elections, have left it deeply fractured. In response, prominent PDP figures—including former Senate Presidents David Mark and Bukola Saraki, ex-Jigawa State Governor Sule Lamido, and other allies of former Vice President Atiku Abubakar—met in Abuja last week to initiate plans for restructuring the party.

According to sources, the meeting resolved that efforts to rebuild the PDP should take precedence over forming new coalitions, with a focus on engaging disgruntled stakeholders and preparing for a leadership overhaul at the next national convention.

Confirming the Ibadan meeting, PDP National Publicity Secretary, Debo Ologunagba, stated that governors would meet from Sunday through Monday to iron out key party matters.

Other attendees of the recent Abuja strategy session reportedly included former governors, ministers, and members of the PDP’s Board of Trustees. The gathering aimed to reaffirm unity and chart a path forward amid ongoing factional crises.

Party stakeholders, including NEC members and former publicity officials, have welcomed the renewed push for reconciliation. Deputy National Youth Leader, Timothy Osadolor, expressed hope that the involvement of respected party elders would steer the PDP back on course ahead of the 2027 general elections.

“The calibre of leaders currently stepping up gives us hope. We are not where we want to be yet, but clearly, we’re making progress,” he said.
Former Deputy National Publicity Secretary, Diran Odeyemi, added that unity remained the party’s most valuable asset. “We must recognise that winning in 2027 depends on our ability to remain together and resolve our differences internally,” he said.

(PUNCH)