The internal crisis rocking the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has escalated, with the party’s National Secretary, Senator Samuel Anyanwu, accusing the Acting National Chairman, Ambassador Illya Damagum, of breaching the PDP constitution.
In a petition dated October 1, 2025, Anyanwu faulted recent actions by the chairman, particularly regarding conflicting correspondences to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) over the conduct of the Cross River State Congress election.
National Secretary Cites Constitutional Breaches
Anyanwu referenced Section 36(1b & e) of the PDP Constitution (2017, as amended), which empowers the National Secretary to oversee party correspondences, issue notices for key meetings, and ensure the implementation of resolutions.
He accused Damagum of undermining his office, stressing that:
“Any action or decision purportedly reached by an illegally constituted National Working Committee is null and void.”
Controversy Over Dissolution of State Executives
The petition also rejected the recent dissolution of the Akwa Ibom and Cross River State Working Committees and the appointment of caretaker committees, declaring them unconstitutional.
Anyanwu insisted that the meeting which led to the decision was invalid since the notice was not issued by his office, as required by the party’s constitution.
Warning to Party Leadership
Describing the chairman’s actions as provocative and unacceptable, the National Secretary warned that continued disregard for constitutional provisions would have legal consequences.
“It is high time you retraced your steps and conducted the affairs of our party in strict compliance with the constitution. A stitch in time saves nine,” Anyanwu wrote.
The dispute underscores growing factional tensions within the PDP ahead of critical political realignments.
