PDP BoT backs 11 NWC members, slams Damagum, affirms June 30 as NEC meeting date

The Board of Trustees (BoT) of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) has joined the 11 members of the National Working Committee (NWC) in rejecting the reinstatement of the embattled National Secretary, Sen. Samuel Anyanwu and the suspension of the 100th National Executives Committee (NEC) meeting slated for June 30, 2025.

A statement issued by the Chairman of the  PDP BoT, Sen. Adolphus Wabara, on Thursday, said the pronouncements by the Acting National Chairman, Amb. Umar Damagum, are null, void and of no effect, saying the decisions were inconsistent and in gross violation of the express provisions of the Constitution of the PDP (as amended in 2017).

The Boat said ” For the avoidance of doubt, the National Executive Committee (NEC) is the highest decision-making Organ of the Party, second only to the National Convention. By virtue of Section 31 (3) of the PDP Constitution, the resolution of the NEC at its 99th NEC meeting held on Tuesday, 27th May, 2025 to hold its 100th meeting on Monday, 30th June, 2025 is binding on all Organs and members of the PDP.

“To this effect, being a NEC decision, no Organ, group or individual has the power or competence to cancel, adjust or postpone the 100th NEC meeting already scheduled by NEC to hold on Monday, 30th June, 2025”.

The body explained that it was not within the remit or authority of Damagum  to override a collective decision of the NEC, adding that such conduct amounts to an affront to the constitutional authority of NEC and the collective will of the PDP.

It added ” Furthermore, the statement purporting to reinstate Senator Samuel Anyanwu as National Secretary is equally spurious and offensive to the spirit and letter of the PDP Constitution, the outcome of the Supreme Court judgment and the resolution of NEC. The decision of the National Working Committee (NWC) at its 600th meeting directing the Deputy National Secretary to act as National Secretary in accordance with the extant powers of the NWC remains valid, having not been set aside by the NWC or NEC. The attempt by Amb. Damagum to overturn that decision is a gross abuse of office. The Board of Trustees, being the conscience of the Party cannot stand idly by and watch the Party descend into chaos through acts of impunity, unilateralism and disregard for constitutional procedures”.

The BoT, however, affirmed that the100th NEC Meeting would proceed as scheduled on Monday, 30th June, 2025, advising all members of NEC to disregard any contradictory notice or statement regarding the meeting.

” The Deputy National Secretary, Arc. Setonji Koshoedo remains the Acting National Secretary of the PDP pending any contrary decision formally taken and communicated by the appropriate Organ of the Party.

” All party members are advised to be guided by the supremacy of the Constitution of the PDP, and resist any attempt to drag the party into avoidable crisis”, the BoT affirmed.