PDP Convention: Anyanwu Kicks Against BOT Intervention

Samuel Anyanwu, the factional National Secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, has rejected the peace overtures by the party’s Board of Trustees, BOT, to reconcile the two factions in the leadership crisis rocking the major opposition party in the country.

The magazine reports that the Adolphus Wabara-led BOT had met on Wednesday in Abuja, the nation’s capital where it set up a six-member reconciliation committee to resolve the leadership crisis rocking the party.

The BoT, named Ambassador Hassan Adamu (North-East) to head the reconciliation committee, with a representative from each of the six geopolitical zones of the country.

Other members are Mike Oghiadomhe (South-South), who doubles as the Secretary of the committee; Chief Ugochukwu Okeke (South-East); Senator Zaynab Kure (North-Central); Prince Onyinlola Olagunsoye (South-West); and Dr Lubna Mohammed Gusau (North-West).

The intervention came after last week’s suspension and counter- suspension by the two factions involved in the leadership crisis, one led by Umar Damagun and the other led by Mohammed Abdulrahman .

The two factions are claiming control of the party’s National Working Committee, NWC following last Friday’s judgment of the Abuja High Court which stopped the National Convention of the party slated for Ibadan, the Oyo state Capital next week.

Another ruling from an Oyo state High Court, which ordered the Damagun-led NWC to go ahead with the Delegates Convention has further polarized the party, so much so that it’s no longer clear which of the factions is now in charge.

During its meeting to intervene in the leadership crisis yesterday, the BOT urged the two factions to sheathe their sword to enable the Trustees resolve the problem, even though the BOT said there was no going back on the Ibadan Convention in line with the state’s court ruling.

Reacting to the BOT, Anyanwu described its action as a nullity, saying he was supposed to be invited into the meeting as a member.

“What took place today was a meeting of friends and associates.

“Any BoT meeting without my presence is a nullity. The letter of the PDP is with me. Since I was not there and I was not invited, what took place was not a BoT meeting”, Anyanwu said.

The PDP national scribe also reiterated the judgment of the AbujaH igh Court which stopped the National Convention, noting that the ruling of the Oyo High  court on the issue cannot stand, because it’s not superior to the one given by Justice James Omotosho of the Abuja High court last week.

Meanwhile, the BOT in the communique issued yesterday after the emergency meeting aligned with the Oyo state high court ruling, saying it “ solidly stands with” the Damagun-led NWC.

Part of the communique, reads: “The BoT solidly stands with and commends the Amb. Iliya Damagum-led National Working Committee (NWC), the PDP Governors Forum, the National Convention Organising Committee and other critical Organs of the Party for their collective roles in stabilising our Party, especially as we progress towards the conduct of the Elective National Convention scheduled to hold on the 15th and 16th of November 2025 in Ibadan, Oyo State Capital.

“The BoT welcomes the ruling of the Oyo State High Court, presided over by Justice A L Akintola which affirmed the Constitutional right and liberty of our Party to manage its internal affairs including holding our 2025 Elective National Convention as scheduled. This landmark ruling is a victory for Democracy, Rule of Law and political development in our country.

“The BoT, however, expresses worry over the recent developments within our ranks that have caused understandable concerns. The tensions, misunderstandings, and regrettable incidents that have played out in public including the invasion of our National Secretariat are not reflective of the ideals and character of the PDP.

“As the conscience of the party, the BoT cannot and will not take sides but remain focused on safeguarding the integrity of the PDP and ensuring dialogue over discord. The decision for reconciliation is not as a sign of weakness but as a demonstration of maturity and responsibility.

“Against this backdrop, the BoT sets up a high-powered committee to immediately reconcile all conflicting sides and restore unity of purpose in our party as we head to the Elective National Convention in Ibadan.”