The crisis in the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has escalated following a petition by the National Secretary, Senator Samuel Anyanwu, accusing the Acting National Chairman, Ambassador Illya Damagum, of violating the party’s constitution.
In a letter dated October 1, 2025, and addressed to Damagum, Anyanwu protested what he described as a constant usurpation of the constitutional duties of his office. His petition followed conflicting letters sent separately by himself and Damagum to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) over the conduct of the Cross River State Congress.
Citing Section 36 (1) (b) and (e) of the PDP Constitution (2017 as amended), Anyanwu stressed that the National Secretary is empowered to conduct the correspondence of the party, issue notices of meetings, and ensure the implementation of decisions and directives of the National Working Committee (NWC) and other organs of the party.
He accused Damagum of disregarding these provisions by convening an NWC meeting without his authorization and issuing directives outside the Secretary’s purview. Anyanwu further declared null and void the press statement by the National Publicity Secretary announcing the dissolution of the Akwa Ibom and Cross River State Working Committees and their replacement with caretaker committees.
“The purported press statement is a nullity because the notice of the NWC meeting held on September 30, 2025, was not issued by me,” Anyanwu stated. He described the move as provocative, unacceptable, and inconsistent with the party’s constitution.
The National Secretary urged Damagum to “retrace your steps and conduct yourself and the affairs of our party in strict compliance with the PDP constitution,” warning that decisions taken by an illegally constituted NWC would not stand.
The petition underscores growing divisions within the PDP leadership, coming amid disputes over state congresses and the legitimacy of recent caretaker appointments.
