Zaharaddeen Ishaq Abubakar | Katsina Times Political Desk
A fresh crisis has erupted within the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) as two of its top national officers — Acting National Chairman Ambassador Umar Ilya Damagum and National Secretary Senator Samuel Anyanwu — issued conflicting directives to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) regarding state congresses.
In a letter dated September 25, 2025, Damagum informed INEC that congresses in Cross River, Plateau, and Kebbi States had been postponed due to “unforeseen circumstances and organizational challenges.” He stressed that the letter was only for notification purposes under Section 82(1) of the 2022 Electoral Act, assuring that fresh dates would be announced later while congresses in the remaining nine states would proceed as scheduled.
However, in a counter letter dated September 26, 2025, Senator Anyanwu nullified the Chairman’s directive, insisting that the congresses in the three states must “proceed as earlier scheduled.” He directed INEC to disregard Damagum’s communication, asserting that his own order should take precedence.
The open contradiction between the party’s Chairman and Secretary has reignited fears of deepening divisions within the PDP as it prepares for the 2027 general elections.
INEC has yet to issue an official response, though sources within the commission said it may require a clear resolution from the party’s National Working Committee (NWC) before taking any action.
Nigeria’s main opposition party has a history of leadership crises, most notably the 2016–2017 feud between the Makarfi and Sheriff factions, which dragged into prolonged court battles and weakened party unity.
Unless swiftly resolved, the Damagum-Anyanwu standoff could once again push the PDP into legal tussles and distract it from consolidating its role as the country’s leading opposition force.
