Following the gale of defections sweeping through the country’s leading opposition party, the Peoples Democratic Party, the National Working Committee of the PDP has scheduled a meeting for Tuesday, The PUNCH reports.
The storm had been long speculated before the dramatic defection of the PDP’s former vice presidential candidate, Ifeanyi Okowa; the Delta State Governor, Sheriff Oborevwori and the entire PDP party structure in Delta, one of the former ruling party’s strongholds.
Delta Deputy Governor Monday Onyeme, state commissioners, local government chairmen, and the state’s grassroots machinery all moved en bloc to the APC after a closed-door meeting in Asaba last week following “Hurricane Tinubu,” which had swept the PDP apart, with the opposition claiming the country was drifting towards a one-party state.
The party is facing one of its most difficult times since its formation in 1998. Having lost several members in the federal parliament, the latest being Oluwole Oke, a five-time member of the House of Representatives from Osun State, more defections, as being touted, would place the party at a competitive disadvantage with the ruling APC, with less than two years to the 2027 general election.
Meanwhile, Senator Samuel Anyanwu, recently reaffirmed as National Secretary by the Supreme Court, has vowed to attend the meeting despite the stance of the Bauchi State Governor, Bala Mohammed led PDP Governors Forum.
A high-ranking source, who spoke on condition of anonymity due to lack of authorisation to comment on the matter, confirmed to The PUNCH that the NWC meeting will address the defection of party members to the All Progressives Congress and explore ways to prevent further defections.
The PDP has faced persistent internal strife both before and after the 2023 elections, leading to increasing instability and divisions across the party.
Acting National Chairman Umar Damagum has faced intense criticisms since taking over from Iyorchia Ayu.
The crisis has disrupted operations at all levels, with most state chapters in disarray and zonal structures—particularly in the South-South—severely weakened.
Conflicts over the position of National Secretary have further split the National Working Committee, leaving it largely ineffective.
Additionally, the terms of many Board of Trustees members have lapsed without replacements, and the few remaining are split into opposing camps.
Amid the ongoing turmoil, a previous exclusive report by The PUNCH on February 18 disclosed that over 300 PDP members switched to the APC between February 2024 and February 2025, mainly due to internal conflicts at both state and national levels.
Likewise, the New Nigeria Peoples Party and the Labour Party have experienced major defections to the APC, with internal disputes being a common reason.
NWC meeting
Setonji Koshoedo, the acting Secretary appointed by PDP Governors, confirmed that the National Working Committee meeting will take place in Abuja on Tuesday.
Recall that the Supreme Court ruling on March 21 overturned Anyanwu’s removal, affirming that internal party disputes are not for judicial intervention.
In response to the ruling on April 14, the PDP Governors urged the South East Zone to propose a nominee for the position and announced Koshoedo as acting National Secretary.
Koshoedo in an invitation to NWC members, exclusively obtained by our correspondent, disclosed that the meeting is scheduled for 12 noon.
The notification stated “Based on popular demand and wide consultation, I have been directed to call for an NWC Meeting as detailed below:
“Date: Tuesday, April 29th, 2025, Venue: National Working Committee (NWC) Hall, Wadata Plaza, PDP National Secretariat, Abuja. Time: 12 Noon Prompt.
“All members of NWC and Cabinet Secretaries should pls note.”
In an exclusive interview with The PUNCH, a source, who is an NWC member, stated that the party leadership is concerned about the current state of the PDP.
He stated “There is nothing the PDP can do to stop those who want to leave. Most of them defect for personal reasons, and some leave because they have issues with anti-corruption agencies. What reason did the Delta State Governor and others give? After all the PDP did for them, they still dumped the party. So obviously, it is difficult stop those who are determined to defect—unless you have the power to fulfill their desires or shield them from anti-graft agencies targeting them or their allies. But we will keep doing our best.
“The National Working Committee is scheduled to meet on Tuesday to address a range of critical issues affecting the party. During the meeting, we will discuss the ongoing defections, the upcoming Congresses, the forthcoming National Executive Committee meeting, and the National Elective Convention, as well as consider the recommendations put forward by the Governors Forum.
“At this meeting, we will carefully review these matters and devise proactive strategies aimed at strengthening and repositioning the PDP in preparation for future elections.”
Anyanwu also confirmed the meeting and pledged to attend as the party’s National Secretary.
In an exclusive interview with The PUNCH, Anyanwu urged the remaining party members to stay dedicated to strengthening and uniting the party.
He stated “I am aware of the meeting, and I will attend. The Governors Forum’s recommendations are part of the crisis. So, I will attend the meeting and see. We will do our best to ensure that peace reigns in the PDP and that the party is preserved.”
Anyanwu urged PDP members nationwide not to be discouraged by the party’s current challenges, assuring them that all issues will be resolved soon.
“It is time for peace. We have to bring the party together. Everyone must forget about their interests; we must ensure that the PDP is peaceful, united, and progressing before talking about individual interests.
“Defection or no defection, the rest of us must work to unite and reposition the party.”
Meanwhile, PDP NEC members, including Deputy National Youth Leader Timothy Osadolor and former Deputy National Publicity Secretary Diran Odeyemi called on party leaders to align their actions with their words.
They emphasised that broader consultations and reconciliation efforts would help restore confidence among party members nationwide.