By Oso Abidemi
A fresh crisis is rocking the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) as the party’s much-anticipated National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting slated for May 27 faces uncertainty.
This follows a threat by the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, to seal off the PDP national secretariat.
The meeting, rescheduled after multiple postponements, is expected to formalize Sunday Ude-Okoye’s replacement of Senator Samuel Anyanwu as National Secretary, a move that has further deepened internal rifts.
A notice confirming the meeting was issued by PDP National Publicity Secretary, Debo Ologunagba, reminding members of the resolution during the April 29 National Working Committee (NWC) meeting and the acting National Chairman’s public address on the same day.
However, Anyanwu, an ally of Wike, has rejected the move. His spokesman, Daboikiabo Z Warmate, issued a statement urging party members to disregard the notice signed by the acting National Secretary, Sotonji Koshoedo.
“PDP has substantive national secretary and as such, it is in the figment of the imagination of the person parading himself and those thinking PDP has an acting national secretary.
“And it is expedient to emphasise that, following section 36 (1)b, of the PDP constitution as amended in 2017, it is one of the core responsibilities/functions of the national secretary and not the deputy national secretary to issue notice of NWC, NEC, caucus and convention.
“And all extant and relevant laws in the PDP constitution as amended in 2017, and the Supreme Court judgement, points to the fact that, Most Distinguish Senator Samuel Nnaemeka Anyanwu as always, remains the national secretary of PDP and in due time will issue the notice.
“Please be properly guided and accept the assurances of the national secretary’s highest regards.”
In a swift escalation, Wike announced plans to take possession of 4,794 properties in Abuja over unpaid ground rent beginning Monday, May 26.
The PDP national secretariat is among those listed, sparking fears the party may be unable to host its NEC meeting.
The FCT Administration had in March revoked ownership of the listed properties, citing violations of land use agreements.
Director of Land Administration, Chjioke Nwankwoeze, stated: “Ownership of the revoked 4,794 properties in the Central Area, Garki I and II, Wuse I and II, Asokoro, Maitama, and Guzape districts had already reverted to the FCTA.
“And as from Monday, next week, the government will begin to exercise its rights of ownership on the affected landed properties.
“As usual, this will be done without consideration as to ownership of the affected landed properties. It will be purely in line with extant laws and regulations guiding the process.”
PDP insists the matter is in court, but Nwankwoeze maintained that no legal decision bars the FCTA from acting.
He cited Section 28(5)(a)(b) of the Land Use Act, allowing land reclamation for violation of occupancy terms, and noted that affected owners owe over N6.96 billion in rent.
A 21-day grace period granted earlier has expired.
Meanwhile, Acting National Chairman Ambassador Umar Damagum has come under scrutiny for allegedly working with the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
He refuted the claims in a Hausa radio interview.
“May God judge us, if I am working for the APC.
“I have a history. Since I joined the PDP in 1999, I have never defected. Those who dislike me will have to find ways to either praise or criticise me to get what they want.”
