(DDM) – The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has been thrown into another round of leadership crisis as its two top officials sent conflicting directives to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) over the conduct of state congresses.
Diaspora Digital Media (DDM) gathered that Acting National Chairman Ambassador Umar Damagum on September 25 issued a formal letter to INEC, announcing the postponement of scheduled congresses in Cross River, Plateau, and Kebbi states, citing what he described as “logistical challenges.” The development, party sources say, was intended to allow more time for preparations and avoid chaos in the exercise.
However, in a dramatic twist, PDP National Secretary Senator Samuel Anyanwu wrote a separate letter to INEC the very next day, urging the electoral body to ignore Damagum’s directive.
Anyanwu insisted that the congresses must proceed as earlier scheduled, creating a situation of confusion within party ranks and raising serious concerns about the state of unity in Nigeria’s main opposition platform.
Political analysts told DDM that the conflicting letters underscore a long-running power struggle within the PDP’s national leadership, which has often struggled to maintain cohesion since losing power at the federal level in 2015.
Observers noted that the latest disagreement comes at a particularly sensitive time, as the party prepares for its November 2025 national convention, a crucial event that will determine its readiness ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Sources within the PDP hinted that Damagum and Anyanwu have been at loggerheads over internal control, with each seeking to consolidate influence ahead of the convention. Some insiders suggest the clash also reflects deeper factional alignments linked to prominent presidential hopefuls positioning themselves for 2027.
The PDP has a history of internal disputes, ranging from leadership tussles to legal battles over governorship candidacies in several states.
These repeated crises, critics argue, have weakened its ability to present a united front against the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
The latest standoff, coming so close to the party’s convention, has heightened fears that unresolved leadership rifts could further fracture its base.
INEC, for its part, has not yet issued a public statement on which directive it will recognize, leaving stakeholders in suspense.
Civil society groups and political commentators have urged the PDP to urgently resolve its internal conflicts to avoid undermining its credibility as the country’s leading opposition party.
As the countdown to the convention continues, party members are anxiously watching whether Damagum and Anyanwu will reconcile their positions or whether the disagreement will escalate into another prolonged legal and political battle.