PDP Reinstates Samuel Anyanwu as National Secretary, Cancels NEC Meeting

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has reinstated Samuel Anyanwu as its National Secretary following internal consultations and pressure from the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

The announcement was made on Wednesday by the PDP’s Acting National Chairman, Ambassador Iliya Damagum, during a press briefing at the party’s national secretariat in Abuja. He was flanked by key party figures, including Bauchi State Governor Bala Mohammed, former Senate President Bukola Saraki, and other top stakeholders.

Damagum admitted the decision to bring Anyanwu back into the party’s National Working Committee (NWC) was a tough one. “Anyanwu is resuming as the National Secretary. That’s why I said it was a critical decision,” he said.

He also disclosed that the planned National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting has been canceled. Instead, the party will hold an expanded caucus meeting on June 30, where a decision will be made on convening a proper NEC meeting.

The development comes a day after PDP leaders met with INEC Chairman Professor Mahmood Yakubu. While details of the meeting were not publicly disclosed, party sources revealed that Yakubu emphasized the need for the PDP to comply with a Supreme Court ruling concerning the national secretary position.

INEC also made it clear that it would only recognize official correspondences signed by both the party’s chairman and secretary. A letter earlier submitted by the PDP to notify the commission of its planned NEC meeting was rejected because it was only signed by Damagum.

Sources within the PDP told Daily Trust that during the meeting, INEC refused to name who it recognized as national secretary, stating that the party must decide based on the Supreme Court judgment.

Following the encounter with INEC, PDP leaders reportedly held a closed-door meeting at the Bauchi State Governor’s Lodge in Asokoro, Abuja, to resolve the leadership standoff.

Party insiders suggest that Anyanwu’s reinstatement was a necessary move to restore official recognition from INEC and stabilize internal operations ahead of upcoming political activities.