The crisis within the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has taken a new turn following the Independent National Electoral Commission’s (INEC) formal recognition of Senator Samuel Anyanwu, a known ally of Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, as the party’s National Secretary.
In a letter addressed to the PDP National Chairman and made available to the public, INEC confirmed that it has updated its records to reflect Senator Anyanwu as the duly recognized National Secretary of the party. This move comes despite ongoing legal disputes and internal party disagreement surrounding Anyanwu’s continued occupancy of the office, especially in light of his gubernatorial ambitions in Imo State in 2023.
The recognition is seen by many within the party as a strategic win for Wike’s camp, deepening existing fissures between rival factions aligned with Wike and those loyal to former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and other party stalwarts. Party insiders warn that the decision could trigger further instability, with concerns about the neutrality of INEC and the implications for PDP’s cohesion ahead of future elections.
“This decision undermines internal democratic processes and further alienates loyal members who believe in the rule of law and the supremacy of the party constitution,” said a senior PDP official who requested anonymity. “The party risks implosion if reconciliation is not pursued with sincerity and urgency.”
Meanwhile, sources close to the Wike camp have hailed the development as a vindication of their stance, maintaining that Anyanwu never resigned his position and remains legally and procedurally the rightful National Secretary.
As tensions escalate, the PDP National Working Committee (NWC) is expected to convene an emergency meeting to deliberate on the implications of INEC’s recognition and chart a path forward amid fears of a possible legal showdown or a wave of defections.