The focus of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) is now squarely on the upcoming National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting scheduled for October 24, as key figures brace for a decisive showdown over the party’s leadership and internal conflicts.
The NEC meeting is expected to be a turning point in resolving the factional crisis that has gripped the party’s National Working Committee (NWC), despite the intervention of the PDP Governors’ Forum (PDP-GF).
The crisis in the NWC, which erupted last week, saw the suspension of National Publicity Secretary, Debo Ologunagba, and National Legal Adviser, Kamaldeen Ajibade, over allegations of insubordination and disloyalty.
Acting National Chairman, Umar Damagum, issued their suspension, only for Ologunagba to retaliate by announcing the suspension of Damagum and National Secretary Samuel Anyanwu, further escalating tensions within the party.
The PDP-GF, in coordination with the Board of Trustees (BoT), stepped in on Monday and successfully brokered a temporary truce, quashing all suspensions and urging party officials to return to the status quo.
The meeting was attended by the chairman of the forum Bala Mohammed (Bauchi), Siminalayi Fubara(Rivers), Douye Diri (Bayelsa), Godwin Obaseki (Edo), and Seyi Makinde (Oyo). Also in attendance were Govs Ademola Adeleke, Dauda Lawal, Sheriff Oborevwori, Ahmadu Fintiri, Caleb Mutfwang, Peter Mbah of Osun, Zamfara, Delta, Adamawa and Plateau states, respectively.
According to the communique of the meeting, Bauchi State Governor Bala Mohammed reiterated the need for unity within the NWC.
However, despite the PDP-GF’s intervention, party insiders are gearing up for the NEC meeting, where unresolved issues—including deep divisions over the Rivers political crisis—will take center stage.
A party official, who requested anonymity, confirmed that the NEC will need to address the legitimacy of congresses held in Rivers State, which were sanctioned by Damagum despite pending litigation.
He told Daily Sun: “The NWC under Damagum approved the congresses in Rivers State, not minding the pending litigations. As you know, the results of all the congresses will be presented to the NEC for ratification. I can tell you that it is not over yet.
“If they want to replace the NWC with a caretaker committee, so be it. But some of us will insist at the NEC that the right thing is done.”
The NEC meeting also comes amidst renewed calls for significant leadership changes.
There are ongoing discussions about replacing the current NWC with a caretaker committee, a move that would likely dominate the agenda on October 24.
Sources within the party suggest that, despite the governors’ attempts at reconciliation, factional tensions remain high as various groups continue to jockey for control ahead of the 2027 elections.
Another member of the PDP NEC, Diran Odeyemi, has said that in the aftermath of the intervention by the PDP Governors’ Forum in the crisis that polarised the NWC, other issues would be resolved at the October 24 NEC meeting.
Speaking to the Daily Sun, he said: “It is one thing after the other. The mere fact that the Governors’ Forum came alive to their responsibility of ensuring peace in the party is an indication that peace will soon return to PDP.
“That is the first thing they ought to have done. All other issues will be addressed with them. And of course, the National Executive Committee meeting which is on October 24 will answer a lot of questions, particularly on all grey areas. For now, we need peace in the party. That is how far the governors can go.”
Furthermore, a recent Federal High Court ruling has barred the NEC and BoT from replacing Damagum until December 2025, yet influential party stakeholders are reportedly pushing for former Senate President David Mark to take over as National Chairman.
Mark is said to be under considerable pressure from party elders, the BoT, and the governors’ forum to lead the PDP out of its current crisis.