ABUJA, Nigeria – The internal struggle for power in the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) dey intensify as the party dey prepare for their National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting wey go hold for May 27. Despite hope for peace from the appointment of Bukola Saraki as head of a seven-member reconciliation committee, recent decisions dey create more conflict.
Sources wey sabi matter tell Sunday PUNCH say Saraki committee don endorse Senator Samuel Anyanwu make him return as National Secretary, and this decision no sit well with many governors and senior members of the PDP. Dis matter don bring back tension wey don dey simmer since the end of the 2023 elections.
After court recognition of Sunday Udeh-Okoye as National Secretary by the South-East zonal caucus for December 2024, things don scatter more. Despite acceptance of the ruling by PDP governors and other groups, Anyanwu challenge am for Supreme Court. Di court eventually rule on March 21 say dem no fit interfere with internal party issues.
On April 14, di governors call for new nominee from di South-East, later selecting Setonji Koshoedo as Acting Secretary. But dis arrangement still no stop the power play over di National Secretary position from causing division among party leaders.
In a meeting for May 12, Saraki meet with few NWC members come give Anyanwu clearance but dis no please stakeholders from di South-East. Enugu State Governor Peter Mbah and BoT Chairman, Adolphus Wabara, voice strong objection, saying Udeh-Okoye still be their preferred candidate and even threaten to reconsider their loyalty to di party.
One senior PDP leader wey talk to Sunday PUNCH under condition of anonymity reveal say di Saraki-led panel no involve full consultations before giving Anyanwu go-ahead. Di source complain, “Dis na strong agitation from di South-East. Dem no follow di normal process.”
In another twist, one PDP chieftain confirm that Koshoedo’s name don already go Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) as di officially recognized secretary. “As we talk, Koshoedo na di secretary, and I no sabi any other arrangement.”
Another party insider warn say ignoring di Supreme Court ruling fit bring serious wahala for di PDP. “If dem disregard di court, e fit backfire. Dis position of National Secretary na serious matter for di party structure,” di source say.
As the crisis dey unfold, former Vice President Atiku Abubakar throw hin weight behind di reconciliation efforts, urging for unity among all opposition parties. In a statement through hin Media Adviser Paul Ibe, Atiku stress di need for strong coalition to strengthen Nigeria’s political landscape.
“PDP no go fit afford make dem weak,” Atiku talk. “All di parties need to work together to save Nigeria.”
In response, former PDP National Secretary Ibrahim Tsauri and ex-Deputy National Publicity Secretary Diran Odeyemi express hope say di party go come out from dis crisis even stronger. “Dis na normal occurrences for any genuine party. PDP go resolve dis issues and bounce back,” Tsauri declare.
On di other side, di ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) don dismiss di PDP as politically irrelevant, calling di Saraki committee’s reconciliation efforts a failure before e even start. APC Publicity Director Bala Ibrahim dismiss PDP as “an idea whose time don pass,” insisting di party no fit revive again.
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