In spite of the PDP Governors’ Forum’s endorsement of Sunday Ude-Okoye as the party’s scribe, the beleaguered National Secretary of the People Democratic Party, Senator Samuel Anyanwu, has returned to his position at the party centre.
Citing the Appeal Court’s ruling, the PDP Governors forum, chaired by Bala Mohammed, the governor of Bauchi State, affirmed Ude-Okoye as the party’s national secretary on Friday and directed the National Working Committee to carry out the judgement.
However, just after 12 noon, Anyanwu, dressed in white, arrived at the PDP National headquarters at Wadata Plaza and proceeded straight to his office to handle party affairs.
Recall that the PDP has been struggling with significant internal turmoil both before and after the 2023 general elections, leading to ongoing instability within the party. These issues have resulted in deep divisions, making it challenging to resolve the party’s internal conflicts.
Umar Damagum, the acting National Chairman, has faced growing criticism from party members who blame him for the party’s continued struggles. He took over from Iyorchia Ayu, the former National Chairman, who was removed by the court for failing to implement necessary reforms, adding further complications to the party’s leadership transition.
The leadership crisis within the PDP has been exacerbated by disagreements surrounding the National Secretary position. In 2023, the Southeast zone of the party nominated the former National Youth Leader to replace Anyanwu, who had been chosen as the party’s candidate for the Imo State governorship election.
This nomination sparked further division, with the Southeast faction demanding Anyanwu step down from his role due to his new political commitments. On December 20, 2024, the Appeal Court in Enugu ruled in favor of Ude-Okoye, confirming him as the new National Secretary and the official communication was sent to the party leadership on December 24.
However, the situation took a new turn on January 27, 2025, when the Court of Appeal in Abuja issued a restraining order, instructing Anyanwu to remain in his position until the Supreme Court issues a final ruling.
Tensions escalated on Wednesday when supporters of Anyanwu forcibly removed Ude-Okoye from the Board of Trustees meeting, prompting security intervention to restore order. In response, PDP governors, led by Bauchi State Governor Bala Mohammed, endorsed the Court of Appeal’s judgment and urged the NWC to take steps to implement it.
During a meeting in Asaba, Delta State, they also distanced themselves from Anyanwu, confirming Ude-Okoye as the party’s National Secretary.
In his petition to the IG, Supreme Court, and Appeal Court, among others, Anyanwu insisted that he remains the PDP National Secretary.
He described the decision by the party’s Governors to support Ude-Okoye as National Secretary as a call for crisis and requested their intervention.
