By Atoyebi Nike
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) are gearing up for decisive National Executive Committee (NEC) meetings in July, with both gatherings expected to shape their strategic directions ahead of the 2027 elections.
Amid earlier anxieties over internal discord, the PDP held its 100th NEC preparatory meeting on Monday at the party’s national headquarters in Abuja. The meeting, seen by analysts as a product of the Saraki-led reconciliation committee, concluded with the announcement of a full NEC session scheduled for July 23, 2025.
In a major development, Senator Samuel Anyanwu was reinstated as the party’s National Secretary, following a closed-door session led by Acting National Chairman Ambassador Umar Damagum. Though Anyanwu was absent, party insiders confirmed the move as a confidence-building step in the ongoing unity process.
Damagum, who addressed journalists after the meeting, said the party was turning a corner. “We’re channeling our energy towards building the party. The tension has reduced significantly. We urge mischief-makers to stop trying to destroy what we are rebuilding,” he said.
Also speaking, Board of Trustees (BoT) Chairman Senator Adolphus Wabara declared: “The PDP will not die. We are the beacon of hope. The God of politics is with us.”
Five governors including Fintiri (Adamawa), Lawal (Zamfara), Makinde (Oyo), Mutfwang (Plateau), and Diri (Bayelsa) attended the session alongside prominent figures including Bukola Saraki, Abba Moro, Chief Bode George, and Chief Olagunsoye Oyinlola.
Bauchi State Governor Bala Mohammed, who chairs the PDP Governors’ Forum, said the crisis was externally orchestrated. “Those leaving the party are doing so to ridicule us, but PDP remains strong and ready for 2027,” he said, warning against joining any coalition.
In a parallel development, the APC on Monday announced that its NEC meeting will hold a day later, July 24, 2025, at its national secretariat in Abuja.
Addressing reporters after an emergency NWC session, Barr. Festus Faunter, Deputy National Secretary, confirmed that Ali Buka Dalori, Deputy National Chairman (North), has been endorsed as Acting National Chairman, following Dr. Abdullahi Umar Ganduje’s resignation on health grounds.
“In compliance with our constitution, Dalori now serves as Acting Chairman until the NEC ratifies or nominates a new leader. A notice has been sent to INEC,” Faunter said.
The NEC, described as the party’s apex decision-making body, will also determine whether to initiate a formal convention for electing a substantive national chairman.
With both major parties facing leadership tests and structural reforms, political observers see the July meetings as critical junctures in the race toward 2027.
