Fresh details have emerged on the behind-the-scenes negotiations that paved the way for the reinstatement of Senator Samuel Anyanwu as the National Secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

The decision, made during the party’s 100th National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting held on Monday, June 30, in Abuja, followed intense consultations involving PDP governors, lawmakers, and members of the Board of Trustees (BoT).

Party insiders revealed that Anyanwu’s return was conditional. Among the key terms was a requirement that he withdraw all pending court cases against the party and commit not to interfere with the preparations for the PDP’s National Elective Convention scheduled for August 2025.

“He was asked to sign an undertaking that he would not harass party staff or disrupt the convention planning,” a source at the PDP National Secretariat disclosed. “He also agreed to drop every legal case he had instituted against the party.”

Speaking after the NEC meeting, the PDP’s Acting National Chairman, Umar Damagum, confirmed the development, stating, “We all agreed that Senator Anyanwu will continue as National Secretary. Our next NEC meeting has been scheduled for July 23, where we will finalize plans for the national convention.”

The decision followed days of internal conflict between opposing factions within the PDP. On Sunday, Damagum met with Anyanwu and other members of the National Working Committee (NWC) at Wadata Plaza, where they resolved to support his reinstatement. However, another group, including Acting Secretary Setonji Koshoedo, South-East Vice Chairman Ali Odefa, and Deputy National Chairman (South) Taofeek Arapaja, also met at the same venue to declare support for Koshoedo to remain in office.

Two major blocs within the party emerged during the standoff. One, led by Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde and supported by the governors of Enugu, Osun, Zamfara, and Bayelsa, opposed Anyanwu’s reinstatement and urged that the NEC meeting proceed without him. The other bloc, loyal to former Rivers State Governor and current FCT Minister Nyesom Wike, backed Anyanwu and pushed for his reinstatement before the NEC could convene. Wike's group had the support of governors from Plateau, Bauchi, Taraba, and Adamawa states.

Security was heightened at the PDP Secretariat on Monday, as police officers and other security agencies cordoned off the premises, forcing the BoT to relocate its meeting to the Shehu Musa Yar’Adua Centre.

A major breakthrough came after an emergency reconciliation meeting held at the Bauchi State Governor’s Lodge in Abuja. The meeting, which included governors, BoT members, and key NWC officials, reached a consensus that Anyanwu should be reinstated in line with the party’s constitution.

“There were also legal concerns that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) may not recognize any other person as National Secretary, which could have far-reaching implications,” another source familiar with the talks revealed.

Senator Anyanwu, who was present at the meeting, reportedly accepted all terms and gave assurances that he would work in line with the party’s collective decisions going forward.

With tensions now easing, all eyes are on the July 23 NEC meeting, where the PDP is expected to finalize preparations for its crucial national convention.