By Kayode Sanni-Arewa
The National Working Committee (NWC) of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) is preparing for a pivotal meeting today to finalize arrangements for the upcoming National Executive Committee (NEC) gathers momentum.
This meeting takes place amid escalating tensions over the party’s national secretaryship, a dispute that has deepened divisions within the PDP. 
The crisis has intensified as the South-East zonal caucus has threatened to withdraw from the party unless their nominee, Sunday Ude-Okoye, is officially confirmed for the national secretary role.
At the heart of the conflict is the leadership tussle between Samuel Anyanwu and Ude-Okoye. Despite a general agreement among PDP governors to replace Anyanwu, who lost the 2023 Imo State governorship election, the matter remains unresolved.
However, a key PDP figure, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, insists that Anyanwu should be allowed to complete his tenure. Wike has even threatened legal action, warning that any communication with the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC)—including the notice for the NEC meeting scheduled for May 27—must bear Anyanwu’s signature.
The forthcoming NEC meeting, set for May 27, is viewed as a crucial opportunity to address the party’s internal challenges and lay the groundwork for the national convention slated for August.
To help mediate the crisis, PDP governors and stakeholders have formed a seven-member committee, led by former Senate President Bukola Saraki, tasked with finding a resolution.
Besides tackling the leadership dispute, today’s NWC meeting will also address ongoing security issues at the PDP national secretariat, Wadata Plaza in Abuja. The secretariat has been repeatedly targeted by thugs amid the secretaryship conflict, raising safety concerns among staff, some of whom have requested that meetings be held offsite in the past.
The NWC is expected to consider restructuring the security arrangements to enhance protection. The recent endorsement of acting national secretary Setonji Koshoedo by 83 PDP administrative staff underscores the urgency of resolving these matters.
Sources within the party, speaking to Daily Trust, say the NWC is committed to ensuring the NEC meeting proceeds as planned despite attempts by some factions to obstruct it.
“One faction is still working to block the NEC meeting, but the NWC is focused on getting the process started and making sure the meeting happens,” one source said.
The source added, “Security concerns are also high on the agenda. The secretariat has been invaded multiple times during the secretaryship dispute. Staff safety remains a serious issue — at one point, even the Board of Trustees had to hold meetings outside the secretariat. The NWC aims to implement a comprehensive security overhaul.”
