•Setonji Koshoedo
The National Working Committee (NWC) of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has dismissed as false a report claiming that Senator Samuel Anyanwu has resumed office as National Secretary of the party, asserting instead that the nomination of its candidate for the November 2025 Anambra governorship election was duly signed by the acting officers currently recognised by the party.
In a strongly worded press statement issued today, the PDP labelled the report in a national daily (not Nigerian Tribune) titled “Wike Tightens Grip on PDP as Anyanwu Reassumes Role as National Secretary” as “misleading” and “apparently scripted… to cause confusion.”
The party clarified that the official nomination form submitted to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) was signed by Ambassador Iliya Damagum, the Acting National Chairman, and Architect Setonji Koshoedo, whom the NWC affirms is the Acting National Secretary.
The party emphasised that both acted in accordance with its constitution and the decisions of the NWC.
“For the avoidance of doubt, the nomination form for the PDP candidate in the Anambra State governorship election was signed by the duly authorised signatories of the party… in a letter with reference number: PDP/DOM/GF.2/VOL.1J/25-065 dated Wednesday, 7 May 2025,” the statement read.
The party also cited a Supreme Court judgment reaffirming the autonomy of political parties in managing their internal affairs.
Based on this ruling, the NWC stated that during its 600th meeting, it had directed Deputy National Secretary Koshoedo to act as National Secretary in line with Section 36(2) of the PDP Constitution (as amended in 2017), which empowers the deputy to assume the role when directed.
The statement from the PDP’s National Publicity Secretary, Hon. Debo Ologunagba, further noted that INEC’s portal records corroborate the party’s account, showing that the nomination process was concluded with the documents co-signed by Damagum and Koshoedo.
While not directly addressing the internal wrangling, the NWC accused unnamed actors of circulating a fake letter on social media to mislead party members and the public.
The party urged its members to remain “steadfast and focused” as it prepares for its forthcoming National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting and National Convention—events likely to determine the party’s future leadership direction amid rising internal tensions.
The development comes amid persistent speculation that the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, is working to consolidate influence within the PDP, partly through key appointments and alignments—narratives that have stirred controversy among party loyalists ahead of the Anambra gubernatorial race.
