Amid heightened political tensions, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) held its much-anticipated 100th National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting in Abuja, reaffirming its unity and commitment to internal democracy, despite external pressures and internal disagreements. Meanwhile, the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) has dismissed the opposition coalition’s prospects and claimed five governors are preparing to defect to its ranks.
PDP leaders, including Acting National Chairman Umar Damagum and Governor Bala Mohammed of Bauchi State, declared the NEC meeting a success, pushing back against claims of a divided house. Damagum described the gathering as proof of the PDP’s ability to resolve internal disputes without rancour, saying, “We have disappointed those who expected chaos. This is the beauty of the PDP.”
Governor Bala Mohammed emphasized that the PDP remains Nigeria’s most experienced political party with the capacity to deliver good governance. He credited the National Working Committee for restoring calm and unity within the party, stating that media reports about defections and crises were “cosmetic” and intended to destabilise the party.
Former Senate President Bukola Saraki echoed this optimism, saying there was “no victor, no vanquished” and that the real winner was Nigerian democracy. “Without a vibrant opposition, democracy dies,” Saraki noted, adding that the PDP is determined to remain a strong alternative ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Damagum also confirmed the reinstatement of Senator Samuel Anyanwu as the party’s National Secretary and announced that preparations for the next NEC meeting, scheduled for July 23, will focus on the party’s national convention.
However, the day’s events were overshadowed by a heavy police presence at the PDP national secretariat in Wadata Plaza. Armed officers reportedly barred members of the party’s Board of Trustees (BoT) from accessing the venue, forcing the BoT to move its meeting to the Yar’Adua Centre.
While the PDP accused the police of intimidation, the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Police Command denied sealing the premises, claiming the officers were only deployed to maintain order. The command also urged journalists to verify reports before publication.
Former PDP Deputy National Chairman (South), Chief Bode George, condemned the incident, describing it as a deliberate attempt to stifle internal democracy. “Surrounding our office with police because of a meeting? This is not democracy,” George said, demanding that authorities respect the rights of party members.
Meanwhile, the APC claimed that several governors are on the verge of joining its ranks. According to APC National Vice Chairman (South-East), Ijeoma Arodiogbu, governors from Bayelsa, Rivers, Plateau, Kano, and either Abia or Enugu are expected to defect in the coming months. He described the opposition coalition as a “media stunt” and suggested even Osun State Governor Ademola Adeleke might be considering a switch.
As the political landscape shifts ahead of 2027, both the PDP and APC appear to be recalibrating their strategies, with unity, defections, and alliances taking centre stage in Nigeria’s evolving democratic contest.
