Nigeria’s People’s Democratic Party (PDP) has reinstated Senator Samuel Anyanwu as its National Secretary, following a recommendation by the country’s electoral body and high-level party consultations.
The PDP’s Acting National Chairman, Umar Damagum, made the announcement during a press conference on Wednesday at the party’s headquarters in Abuja, calling the move a difficult but necessary compromise.
“This is a bitter pill for the PDP to swallow,” Damagum said. “But with important elections ahead, including the FCT council polls, we are left with no choice but to adhere to INEC’s legal advice.”
Anyanwu’s reinstatement resolves recent internal disputes over his status, with Damagum noting that INEC — Nigeria’s electoral regulator — emphasised the importance of having a legally recognised signatory in place for the party to remain compliant.
The decision follows meetings between PDP leadership and several party organs, including the Governors’ Forum, Board of Trustees, and the National Assembly caucus. According to Damagum, unity and legal consistency were prioritised over political discomfort.
In a related development, Damagum announced that the party’s 100th National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting scheduled for 30 June has been suspended due to procedural irregularities. Instead, an expanded caucus meeting will be convened on the same date to deliberate on critical party matters, including preparations for the upcoming national convention.
“We had no formal NEC notice served due to procedural gaps, including lack of proper signatories,” Damagum admitted. “We will now correct this and proceed in accordance with our constitution.”
Senior figures present at the announcement included Bauchi State Governor and PDP Governors’ Forum Chairman Bala Mohammed, Senate Minority Leader Abba Moro, former Senate President Bukola Saraki, and former Bayelsa Governor Senator Seriake Dickson.
The move is widely seen as a strategic effort to stabilise the PDP ahead of crucial elections, as the party seeks to present a united front in an increasingly competitive political environment.
