There are now clear indications that the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, is walking a tightrope ahead of the 2027 general elections.
NATIONAL POST reports that there have been efforts to mend broken fences in the party, but the party is sinking further into more crisis.
At its last National Executive Committee meeting, the party could not take certain critical decisions as it did not give the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, the required 21-day notice.
To right the wrong, it fixed its 100th NEC meeting by writing a fresh letter to the INEC. The letter was signed only by its acting national chairman, Umar Damagum.
However, in a response, INEC rejected the notice, citing non adherence to guidelines.
In a letter dated June 13, 2025 and addressed to the PDP National Chairman, INEC said the party's notice lacked the needed endorsement.
The letter signed by INEC's Acting Secretary, Hajiya Hau’ru Aminu, said the notification did not comply with the provisions of the 2022 Regulations and Guidelines for Political Parties.
INEC specifically referenced Part 2(12)3, which mandates that “the National Chairman and National Secretary of the Party shall jointly sign the notice of convention, congress, conference or meeting and submit same to the Commission.”
The letter reads partly: “The Commission draws your attention that the notice is not in compliance… Be guided."
Observers say the current development may finally nail the party, owing to the stand of the embattled national secretary, Senator Samuel Anyanwu.
Anyanwu, loyal to the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, had earlier put up a circular postponing the 99th NEC meeting, but he was ignored by the party leadership, the governors and other stakeholders.
He said then that it was postponed to allow the reconciliation committee led by former Senate President Bukola Saraki to carry out its assignment.
The notice tagged “Postponement of the 99th NEC Meeting,” stated that a new date would be scheduled.
It reads: “The above subject refers. This is to formally inform leaders and members of the National Executive Committee (NEC) of our great party that the proposed NEC meeting, earlier announced to take place on May 27, 2025, has been postponed. The postponement is to allow the Bukola Saraki Reconciliation Committee to complete its assignment of resolving some internal conflicts necessary for a peaceful NEC meeting.
“Accordingly, a new date will be formally announced in accordance with the PDP Constitution 2017 as amended and the Electoral Act, 2022. Therefore, any notice of NEC meeting or publication signed by the Deputy National Secretary in the guise of Acting National Secretary is illegal, unauthorised, and should be disregarded. All inconveniences resulting from this change of date are regretted. Please accept the assurances of my esteemed regards.”
As it stands, the party will be unable to convene any NEC meeting without Anyanwu’s signature.
And it appears a tall dream owing to his loyalty to Wike.
“Everyday, it is becoming very probable that the PDP may not field any candidate in the 2027 election.
“It will be very difficult for the party’s hierarchy to accept Wike’s conditions, and if they don’t do that, Anyanwu will not sign any letter. You know that means,” a concerned party member stated.