In a letter dated September 25, Umar Damagum, PDP national
chairman, announced the postponement of the congresses scheduled for September
27.

Damagum cited “unforeseen circumstances and operational
logistic challenges” as the reason for the postponement.

He said a new date would be communicated to the Independent
National Electoral Commission (INEC) in due course.

“This means that state congresses in the three
aforementioned states will not hold as earlier scheduled,” the letter reads.

“The commission should note that this is for information
purposes and not a notice of congress. We shall formally notify the commission
once a new date is fixed.”

However, in another letter dated September 26, Samuel
Anyanwu, PDP national secretary, insisted the congresses would go ahead as
originally planned.

Anyanwu said any communication to INEC must carry the
signatures of both the national secretary and the national chairman.

“The congresses in the three states shall hold as earlier
scheduled,” he said.

“The commission should not honour any communication without
the joint signatures of the national secretary and the national chairman.”

The conflicting statements reflect the deepening divisions
within the party’s national leadership.

BACKGROUND

There has been a crisis in the main opposition party over
who is the rightful occupant of the national secretary seat between Anyanwu and
Sunday Udeh-Okoye, who have been laying claim to the position.

In March, the supreme court nullified the judgement which
sacked Anyanwu as national secretary of the PDP.

Damagum had later asked Anyanwu to resume as national
secretary, noting that the resolution to recognise him was a “difficult” one.

Anyanwu is an ally of Nyesom Wike, minister of the federal
capital territory (FCT).