PDP Reinstates Senator Samuel Anyanwu as National Secretary Amid Internal Reshuffle

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Nigeria’s main opposition party, has reinstated Senator Samuel Anyanwu as its National Secretary. The announcement was made on Wednesday, June 25, 2025, by Ambassador Iliya Damagum, the Acting National Chairman, at a press briefing held at the PDP headquarters in Abuja.

Damagum, accompanied by key party figures including Bauchi State Governor Bala Mohammed and former Senate President Bukola Saraki, described the decision as difficult but necessary. He also revealed that the planned National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting has been canceled, with an expanded party caucus scheduled to convene next to chart the way forward.

“We will have an expanded Caucus, at the next Caucus we will take a decision leading to a proper NEC. Anyanwu is resuming as the National Secretary, that is why I said it was a critical decision,” Damagum said. He added that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has yet to receive official notice of the changes, and the extended caucus meeting set for June 30 will address this.

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This development follows a meeting between PDP leaders and INEC Chairman Professor Mahmood Yakubu on Tuesday, signaling ongoing efforts to stabilize the party’s leadership ahead of upcoming political challenges.

Senator Anyanwu’s reinstatement comes after a period of internal disputes within the PDP, including his earlier removal by the Appeal Court in Enugu, which had led to his replacement by S. K. E. Udeh-Okoye. The PDP National Working Committee (NWC), responsible for the party’s day-to-day governance, comprises 12 members elected at the party’s National Convention, with the National Secretary playing a key role in coordinating party affairs.

The PDP, founded in 1998, remains a dominant force in Nigerian politics with a broad national presence and a structured leadership system spanning from the national to local levels. The party continues to position itself as a center-right political organization advocating for free-market policies and democratic governance.

This leadership reshuffle is seen as a strategic move to unify the party and strengthen its position as it prepares for future elections.