Tension has deepened within the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) as National Chairman, Umar Damagum, and National Secretary, Senator Samuel Anyanwu, issued conflicting directives to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) regarding the conduct of state congresses in three states.
In a letter dated September 25, Damagum informed INEC that the congresses scheduled for Cross River, Plateau, and Kebbi States on September 27, 2025, had been postponed due to what he described as “unforeseen circumstances and operational logistic challenges.” He added that a new date for the exercise would be communicated to the commission.
“The National Working Committee of our great party hereby postpones the state congresses in Cross River, Plateau, and Kebbi States. A new date will be communicated to the Commission,” the letter stated.
However, in a counter-letter dated September 26, Anyanwu directed INEC to disregard the postponement, insisting the congresses would hold as originally planned.
“This is to confirm to the Commission that the Congress will hold as originally scheduled and has not been postponed. The earlier letter signed by the National Chairman should be ignored,” he wrote.
Anyanwu further stressed that any communication sent to INEC without the signatures of both the National Chairman and National Secretary should not be recognised, maintaining that the exercises in the three states “shall hold as earlier scheduled.”
The development highlights the deepening leadership crisis within the PDP, which has witnessed escalating disputes among factions and party organs over control and decision-making as it prepares for its elective congress and the 2027 general elections.
