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The crisis rocking the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) deepened on Tuesday as the party’s National Executive Committee (NEC) was formally informed that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) recognises Senator Samuel Anyanwu as the PDP’s National Secretary. The revelation came from the PDP Fact-Finding Committee led by Taraba State Governor, Agbu Kefas, during the party’s 99th NEC meeting in Abuja. Kefas disclosed that INEC’s position is based on a Supreme Court judgment affirming Anyanwu’s status and the party’s own constitutional processes, which require a 21-day notice and compliance with legal procedures for his removal. The NEC has now scheduled a follow-up meeting for June 30 to address the resolution from the South-East Zonal Executive seeking Anyanwu’s removal, following growing discontent among party leaders, especially over his loyalty to the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike. Wike, who has been at loggerheads with the PDP leadership, recently withdrew from the party’s reconciliation efforts, accusing Governors Seyi Makinde and Peter Mbah of fuelling the crisis. The development threatens to further fracture the party, already grappling with multiple crises across several zones. At the chaotic NEC meeting, a South-East member moved a motion questioning the status of Ali Odefa as the PDP’s South-East Zonal Chairman, citing a court judgment that purportedly removed him. The issue was deferred for further deliberation at the next NEC meeting. In a communique issued at the end of the meeting, Acting PDP National Chairman, Umar Damagum, confirmed the acceptance of the Kefas committee’s report and the NEC’s decision to deliberate on the South-East petition on June 30. The party also ratified the composition of its National Convention Planning Committee and Zoning Committee ahead of the PDP’s national convention scheduled for August 28-30, 2025. Meanwhile, the crisis threatens to worsen divisions within the party, with Wike’s allies and governors such as Caleb Mutfwang (Plateau), Ahmadu Fintiri (Adamawa), and others increasingly at odds with the party’s leadership. As tensions mount, there are fears that the festering crisis may trigger further defections to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), as seen recently with Delta State Governor, Sheriff Oborevwori.

Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar appears to have declared political war on governors elected under the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and party officials opposed to his bid to form a coalition with other political parties against the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC). Despite Atiku’s push for an opposition coalition, which he argues is the only viable path to unseating the APC in 2027, the PDP leadership has firmly rejected the idea. The party insists it is strong enough to defeat the APC without any alliance, provided it can put its house in order. In this regard, the PDP recently constituted a reconciliation committee headed by former Senate President, Dr Bukola Saraki. Tensions came to a head on Friday when Atiku visited Osun State for the coronation of the new Owa of Ijesaland, HRH Adesuyi Haastrup, but pointedly shunned Governor Ademola Adeleke and the state PDP leadership. Instead of paying a courtesy visit to the governor, Atiku met with former Osun Governor Rauf Aregbesola, a key figure in his coalition plans. Sources within the PDP interpreted Atiku’s actions as a clear message of political hostility. “He has drawn the battle line because our governors are not with him on this coalition move,” a party source at the PDP national secretariat told our correspondent. The cold shoulder extended to Adeleke reportedly left the governor and PDP leaders in Osun State shocked, with many interpreting it as Atiku’s attempt to sideline the party’s established structures in pursuit of his 2027 presidential ambition. Political observers warn that Atiku’s gamble may backfire, especially in Osun State, where Adeleke remains highly popular, while Aregbesola’s influence is perceived to be on the decline. A senior state official described Atiku’s visit as a “deliberate slight,” adding: “It is a misstep. Aregbesola cannot win Osun for him in 2027.” Inside sources revealed that Atiku’s cold attitude towards Adeleke stems from the governor’s refusal to back the coalition plans, as well as suspicions that Adeleke may lean towards President Bola Tinubu in 2027. The development comes against the backdrop of longstanding political tensions between Adeleke and Aregbesola, who have publicly sparred over their respective performances in office. Despite the backlash, Atiku is forging ahead with his coalition plans. It was gathered that he and his allies—among them former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai, ex-Transportation Minister Rotimi Amaechi, and Aregbesola—are set to meet in Abuja today to fine-tune their 2027 strategy. The group has reportedly settled on the Action Democratic Party (ADP) as the vehicle for their ambitions, after earlier considering the Social Democratic Party (SDP). Atiku’s camp is also banking on support from groups like the League of Northern Democrats (LND), which has vowed to mobilize across the North to back a new opposition front, either by registering a fresh party or merging into an existing one. However, the PDP appears unmoved. At a recent meeting, its governors reiterated their rejection of any coalition for the 2027 election, insisting the party is capable of defeating the APC on its own. Governor Adeleke was present at that meeting. As the political chess game heats up, all eyes are on how Atiku’s coalition gamble will unfold—and whether it will strengthen the opposition or fracture it further ahead of 2027.