Hon. Ikenga Imo Ugochinyere, spokesperson for the Nigeria Opposition Lawmakers Coalition, has raised concerns over an alleged plot by the National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Umar Damagum, to undermine the party’s acting National Secretary, Arch. Setonji Koshoedo.
Ugochinyere warns that Damagum may secretly send a counter letter to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), which could potentially affect the upcoming National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting scheduled for May 27, 2025.
This development comes in the wake of an ongoing internal crisis within the PDP. On Sunday, PDP governors held a meeting to strategize a way forward. Despite the official assumption of office by Arch. Setonji Koshoedo as acting National Secretary last week, Samuel Anyanwu returned to resume his duties on Monday, leading to further tensions within the party.
On the same day, Anyanwu and the embattled acting National Chairman, Ambassador Illya Damagum, submitted the party’s candidates for the Anambra State governorship election, scheduled for November 2025, to INEC. The submission included Ezenwafor Jude C as the PDP’s governorship candidate, with Hon. Okene Francis Chukwudi as his running mate.
The submission was formalized in a letter from the PDP to INEC dated May 7, 2025, with reference number PDP/DOM/GF.2/VOL.13/24-065, addressed to INEC Chairman Mahmood Yakubu. Ugochinyere, however, stated that this submission followed earlier letters signed by both Damagum and the newly appointed acting National Secretary, Koshoedo.
The letters, dated May 5th and May 7th, informed INEC of the leadership change in the party and the appointment of Koshoedo as acting National Secretary, in accordance with the PDP Constitution. In the same letters, the party provided the names and particulars of its Anambra gubernatorial candidate, Ezenwafor Jude C, and his running mate.
Ugochinyere emphasized that the removal of Sen. Samuel Anyanwu was formally acknowledged by INEC and the PDP National Working Committee (NWC). He praised the NWC and Koshoedo for their efforts to move the party forward, noting that preparations are underway to appoint a nominee for a substantive Secretary from the South East.
He also reiterated his call for the dismissal of key party members, including FCT Minister Nyesom Wike and Samuel Anyanwu, accusing them of sabotaging the PDP from within.
