Damagum, Anyanwu factions differ on conduct of PDP congresses in Cross River, Plateau, Kebbi

Two factions of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) have issued conflicting directives on the conduct of state congresses in Cross River, Plateau, and Kebbi.

In a letter dated September 25, Umar Damagum, PDP national chairman, announced the postponement of the congresses scheduled for September 27.

Damagum cited “unforeseen circumstances and operational logistic challenges” as the reason for the postponement.

He said a new date would be communicated to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in due course.

“This means that state congresses in the three aforementioned states will not hold as earlier scheduled,” the letter reads.

“The commission should note that this is for information purposes and not a notice of congress. We shall formally notify the commission once a new date is fixed.”

However, in another letter dated September 26, Samuel Anyanwu, PDP national secretary, insisted the congresses would go ahead as originally planned.

Anyanwu said any communication to INEC must carry the signatures of both the national secretary and the national chairman.

“The congresses in the three states shall hold as earlier scheduled,” he said.

“The commission should not honour any communication without the joint signatures of the national secretary and the national chairman.”

The conflicting statements reflect the deepening divisions within the party’s national leadership.

BACKGROUND

There has been a crisis in the main opposition party over who is the rightful occupant of the national secretary seat between Anyanwu and Sunday Udeh-Okoye, who have been laying claim to the position.

In March, the supreme court nullified the judgement which sacked Anyanwu as national secretary of the PDP.

Damagum had later asked Anyanwu to resume as national secretary, noting that the resolution to recognise him was a “difficult” one.

Anyanwu is an ally of Nyesom Wike, minister of the federal capital territory (FCT).