PDP BoT Defies INEC, Backs Makinde Bloc for June 30 NEC Meeting

The Board of Trustees (BoT) and the National Ex-Officio Forum of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) have rejected the recent decisions of the party’s Acting National Chairman, Umar Damagum, insisting that the party’s 100th National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting scheduled for June 30 will proceed as planned.

In a firm stance against Damagum’s efforts to cancel the meeting and reinstate Senator Samuel Anyanwu as National Secretary, the BoT reaffirmed Setonji Koshoedo as the legitimate Acting National Secretary.

BoT Chairman, Senator Adolphus Wabara, alongside Faboyede Clement and Comfort Yassan, leaders of the PDP National Ex-Officio Forum, described Damagum’s moves as unconstitutional and a violation of the collective will of the party.

The PDP has grappled with internal crises since its loss of federal power in 2015, including leadership disputes, persistent defections, and unresolved state congress issues.

To stabilize the party, Koshoedo was appointed to serve as Acting Secretary. However, a committee led by Taraba State Governor Kefas Agbu revealed that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) still recognizes Senator Anyanwu as the official National Secretary.

Although the party, during its 99th NEC meeting, scheduled June 30 for its 100th session and notified INEC accordingly, the electoral commission rejected the notice due to the absence of a joint signature from both the National Chairman and National Secretary—a legal requirement.