The elected governors of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) have called for an emergency meeting on Friday in Asaba, Delta State, to address the ongoing challenges facing the party. This comes after the party’s Board of Trustees (BoT) meeting on Wednesday in Abuja was disrupted by violent scenes, including an attack on the party’s former Youth Leader, Sunday Ude-Okoye, by supporters of Senator Samuel Anyanwu.
The emergency meeting in Asaba is intended to find solutions to the issues plaguing the PDP. Acting National Chairman of the PDP, Umar Damagum, stated that the current crisis within the party has been exacerbated by leaders who should be fostering unity. During his address to the BoT members in Abuja on Wednesday, Damagum stressed his commitment to ensuring that the party’s National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting takes place in February, as requested by the party’s Governors Forum and other key organs.
A senior member of the National Working Committee, speaking anonymously, revealed that the BoT members protested the assault on Sunday Ude-Okoye by a supporter of the embattled National Secretary, Samuel Anyanwu, during the BoT meeting. The source further disclosed that the main agenda for the emergency meeting convened by the Governors Forum, led by Bauchi State Governor Bala Mohammed, includes discussions on the urgent need for a NEC meeting, preparations for zonal congresses, the National Secretary crisis, a report from Umar Damagum on the party’s status, and a review of the nation’s current state.
Since the 2023 elections, the PDP has been in turmoil, with many members blaming Damagum, a close ally of the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, for fueling the unrest. The National Working Committee, BoT, zonal, and state chapters are all embroiled in internal disputes, with members aligning with different factions. Tensions between Wike, Bauchi Governor Mohammed, and other party leaders have further deepened the divide.
Damagum, describing the situation as unfortunate, accused some BoT members of being complicit in the crisis. BoT Chairman Adolphus Wabara also expressed frustration, urging party leaders to prioritize the party’s interests over personal ambitions.
