Tension in PDP Over National Secretary Seat as Staff Returns to Secretariat

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) is witnessing a growing conflict over the position of National Secretary as staff members return to the party’s national secretariat after the holiday break.

The crisis is due to two individuals, Senator Samuel Anyanwu and Sunday Ude-Okoye, both of whom claim the right to the position. 

POLITICS NIGERIA reports that the Court of Appeal recently upheld a lower court’s decision declaring Ude-Okoye as the legitimate National Secretary, effectively removing Anyanwu. However, Senator Anyanwu has refused to vacate the office, citing his pending appeal at the Supreme Court and his application for a stay of execution. 

The Court of Appeal ruled that Anyanwu’s continuation as National Secretary after becoming the PDP gubernatorial candidate in Imo State violated the party’s constitution. It affirmed that Ude-Okoye is the rightful holder of the position. Despite this, Anyanwu insists he will remain in office until the Supreme Court issues a final ruling. 

Ude-Okoye, armed with two favourable court judgments, has already resumed duties.

Boosting his claim, the party through its National Publicity Secretary, Debo Ologunagba, last week stated that the party would adhere to the Court of Appeal’s ruling as the current binding decision. 

Meanwhile, the crisis has created anxiety among staff members, some of whom fear that tensions could lead to clashes at the secretariat. One staff member, speaking anonymously, expressed concern over the possibility of both claimants arriving with their supporters, which could lead to unrest. 

“The tussle between the Anyanwu and Ude-Okoye over this position is beyond the two individuals involved. It is about the rule of law. “We don’t know what will happen tomorrow (today) because I hear the two of them want to come with their supporters and you know what that means. “There cannot be two captains in one ship, there is only one office, there can’t be two national secretaries occupying it at the same time. ”

Another said: “Well, I’m not a lawyer and like most of us here, we are ready to work with anyone elected to occupy the office. “I know the court has pronounced Okoye but Anyanwu is still in court. As a lay man, I think it is only a final decision by the Supreme Court that can settle this matter.”

Meanwhile, former Senate President and Chairman of the PDP Board of Trustees (BoT), Senator Adolphus Wabara, has urged the party’s National Working Committee (NWC) to comply with the Court of Appeal’s judgment. According to him, the execution of the judgment cannot be stayed and should be respected until overturned by a higher court. 

“The judgment affirming Ude-Okoye as PDP National Secretary is clear and must be obeyed,” Wabara stated in an interview. He further explained that a declaratory judgment, such as the one issued by the Court of Appeal, cannot be stayed and can only be challenged in the Supreme Court. 

Wabara also appealed to all party members to prioritize unity and peace.

Senator Anyanwu, who had been serving as the National Secretary of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) since November 2021, vacated his position to contest the Imo State governorship election in 2023. Following his unsuccessful bid, he sought to resume his role as National Secretary.