Two top leaders of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) have given opposing instructions on the state congresses in Cross River, Plateau, and Kebbi.
In a letter dated September 25, PDP national chairman Umar Damagum announced that the congresses, originally set for September 27, would be postponed. He explained the decision was due to “unforeseen circumstances and operational logistic challenges.”
“This means that state congresses in the three aforementioned states will not hold as earlier scheduled,” Damagum said, adding that a new date would be communicated to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) later.
But in another letter dated September 26, PDP national secretary Samuel Anyanwu insisted the congresses must go on as planned. He argued that any notice to INEC must carry the signatures of both the national secretary and the chairman.
“The congresses in the three states shall hold as earlier scheduled,” Anyanwu said. “The commission should not honour any communication without the joint signatures of the national secretary and the national chairman.”
This disagreement highlights the growing rift in PDP’s national leadership. The party has been in crisis over the national secretary position, with Anyanwu and Sunday Udeh-Okoye both claiming the seat.
Earlier this year, the Supreme Court nullified the ruling that removed Anyanwu from office, and Damagum later asked him to resume, describing the decision as a “difficult” one. Anyanwu is also known to be an ally of FCT minister Nyesom Wike.
