Tension As Police Bar PDP BoT Members From NEC Meeting — “That Is The Instruction”
Abuja, Nigeria – Monday, June 30, 2025
A dramatic scene unfolded on Monday at the Wadata Plaza, the national secretariat of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Abuja, as operatives of the Nigeria Police Force reportedly barred members of the party’s Board of Trustees (BoT) from accessing the venue of the National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting.
The incident, which has sparked outrage among party stakeholders and political observers, occurred shortly before the commencement of the high-stakes NEC meeting convened to address urgent matters concerning internal party restructuring, zoning arrangements, and preparations for the 2027 general elections.
According to multiple sources, the BoT members, including some founding members and former officeholders, were stopped at the entrance to the NEC meeting hall by police officers who cited undisclosed “instructions from above.” Attempts by the BoT members to clarify their right to attend the meeting were rebuffed, with security agents reportedly stating, “That is the instruction we received.”
The action triggered immediate condemnation from affected BoT members, many of whom expressed shock and dismay at what they described as an unprecedented breach of party protocol and an affront to the party’s internal democratic principles.
“This is a national embarrassment,” one visibly agitated BoT member told journalists. “How can you call a NEC meeting and bar the BoT—the conscience and moral compass of the party—from participating? It is not just an insult to the BoT but a signal that something fundamentally is wrong with the soul of this party.”
Another senior member, speaking anonymously, said, “If this level of disrespect can be shown to the elders of the party, then no one is safe from exclusion and tyranny within our ranks. This is not the PDP we built.”
As of the time of this report, the PDP National Working Committee (NWC) has yet to issue an official statement explaining the reason for the exclusion order. However, political analysts suggest the development may be linked to ongoing internal divisions, power tussles, and realignment of forces ahead of the party’s expected presidential primary in early 2026.
Observers note that recent weeks have seen growing tension between different factions within the party, with key stakeholders pushing divergent agendas regarding zoning, leadership changes, and strategic alliances.
“The NEC meeting was expected to set the tone for 2027,” said Dr. Aliyu Jibrin, a political analyst. “So this move to block the BoT might be a calculated attempt to limit the influence of older power blocs and consolidate control around a specific faction.”
The PDP’s Board of Trustees, often referred to as the “conscience of the party,” plays a crucial advisory and stabilizing role, offering guidance to party organs and helping to resolve internal disputes. Comprising past national officers, founding members, and seasoned statesmen, the BoT is expected to operate above factional politics to safeguard the party’s unity.
Legal experts have warned that the exclusion of such a statutory organ from a critical NEC meeting could amount to a violation of the party’s constitution and may lead to further legal and political challenges.
“This action may not only undermine the credibility of whatever resolutions are reached at the NEC meeting, but it could also open the door to litigation and deepen internal discord,” said Barrister Ngozi Uzoma, a constitutional lawyer and PDP member.
In the wake of the incident, several party chieftains have called on the PDP National Chairman, Amb. Umar Iliya Damagum, to urgently clarify the situation and take steps to reassure stakeholders of the leadership’s commitment to inclusive decision-making.
Already, prominent PDP governors and former presidential aspirants are reportedly holding closed-door consultations to address the fallout and prevent the crisis from escalating.
As the PDP struggles to rebuild and reposition itself as a viable alternative ahead of the 2027 elections, Monday’s drama is being viewed as a major test of the party’s internal cohesion and respect for democratic norms.
Stakeholders warn that how the party leadership handles the controversy will have lasting implications on its unity, public perception, and electoral prospects.
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