PDP Crisis Deepens As Damagum, Anyanwu Lock Horns Over State Congresses

The leadership crisis within the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) escalated yesterday as National Chairman, Ambassador Umar Damagum, and National Secretary, Senator Samuel Anyanwu, clashed over the conduct of state congresses in Plateau, Kebbi, and Cross River.

The disagreement emerged after both leaders separately wrote to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), giving conflicting instructions on the congresses.

In a letter dated September 26, 2025, Damagum informed INEC that the congresses in the three states had been postponed, citing “unforeseen circumstances and operational logistic challenges.” He assured the commission that new dates would be communicated in due course, emphasizing that the letter was for information purposes only and not a formal notice of congress.

However, the following day, September 27, Anyanwu wrote to INEC countering the Chairman’s position. The National Secretary insisted that the congresses would proceed as originally scheduled, and instructed the commission to disregard the Chairman’s letter. Anyanwu stressed that communications to INEC must be jointly signed by both the National Chairman and National Secretary to be valid.

The latest standoff comes weeks after INEC refused to accept a previous letter from Damagum that was not co-signed by Anyanwu, underlining the legal requirement for joint communication from political party leadership.

The unresolved dispute has raised fresh concerns over the PDP National Convention scheduled for November 15-16, 2025, in Ibadan, Oyo State. Analysts say the party appears to be back at square one, grappling with internal divisions just months before a critical national gathering.

The ongoing tussle highlights persistent fractures in PDP’s leadership, as party faithful watch anxiously whether consensus can be restored before the convention.