PDP Factional Secretaries Set for Showdown, Vow to Resume Today

The ongoing crisis within the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) is set to escalate as the two factional secretaries, Sunday Ude-Okoye and Samuel Anyanwu, plan to resume office today at the party’s National Headquarters in Abuja. This development has further deepened divisions within the party, raising concerns about its stability ahead of future elections.

Two Secretaries, One Office: The Battle for Legitimacy

The PDP crisis took a new turn following the Court of Appeal’s recent judgment affirming Sunday Ude-Okoye as the party’s national secretary. However, Samuel Anyanwu, the erstwhile secretary and current PDP governorship candidate for Imo State, has refused to accept the court’s verdict. Anyanwu insists that he remains the rightful holder of the office, a position that has polarized the party.

Speaking in separate interviews on Sunday, both Ude-Okoye and Anyanwu expressed their determination to carry out their duties. Ude-Okoye, buoyed by the court’s decision, stated that he would officially resume his role at Wadata Plaza. Meanwhile, Anyanwu has continued to assert his authority, complicating matters for the party’s leadership. The standoff threatens to escalate tensions within the PDP’s National Working Committee (NWC), which is already split between supporters of the two secretaries.

Legal Tussles and the Roots of the Crisis

The PDP’s current woes can be traced back to 2023 when the South-East zone nominated Ude-Okoye to replace Anyanwu after the latter emerged as the party’s candidate for the Imo State governorship election. The South-East PDP leadership argued that Anyanwu, by accepting the governorship ticket, had vacated his position as national secretary.

However, Ude-Okoye’s nomination sparked a series of legal battles, resulting in conflicting court rulings. In December 2024, the Court of Appeal upheld an earlier Enugu High Court judgment that validated Ude-Okoye’s nomination. Armed with this ruling, Ude-Okoye attempted to assume office on December 31, 2024, but was met with resistance. Anyanwu responded by ordering the closure of the PDP National Secretariat, barring officials and journalists from entering until January 13.

Tensions Boil Over at Wadata Plaza

The power struggle between the factional secretaries has not been without incident. On December 31, 2024, tensions nearly erupted into violence at the PDP National Secretariat as supporters of both factions clashed. During the altercation, a journalist from The Sun, Ndubuisi Orji, was reportedly assaulted by a party official loyal to Anyanwu.

Despite these challenges, Ude-Okoye remains resolute. In an interview, he dismissed allegations of division within the NWC, emphasizing his commitment to the party’s unity. “I am not here to destroy anything in the PDP. I am the national secretary, and I will remain the national secretary,” he asserted. He also questioned the motives of those allegedly planning to disrupt the party’s operations, urging members to focus on rebuilding the party rather than tearing it apart.

Anyanwu Asserts Authority Amid Legal Battle

The ongoing tussle over the position of the National Secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) took a new turn as Senator Samuel Anyanwu reaffirmed his stance as the rightful officeholder. Anyanwu disclosed in an exclusive interview that he had filed a stay of execution in court, maintaining that the status quo should remain. He expressed his confidence, stating, “Obviously, they know what a stay of execution means—it means the status quo remains the same. There’s nothing to discuss about it.”

Anyanwu dismissed fears of a potential confrontation, emphasizing his commitment to the party’s unity. “For me, what is important is our party, the PDP. This party is a party of law, and I have filed my case in the Supreme Court. With the stay of execution, we will continue our work and unite our party. Everyone should calm down; it is only God who gives power,” he said. Anyanwu’s remarks highlighted the importance of abiding by legal processes while calling on party members to remain focused on long-term goals.

PDP Leadership Stresses Rule of Law

Reacting to the controversy, Adolphus Wabara, Chairman of the PDP Board of Trustees (BoT), called for adherence to the Appeal Court ruling, which had recognized Ude-Okoye as the legitimate National Secretary. Wabara underscored the necessity of respecting judicial pronouncements to avoid anarchy. “The PDP is a party of law and constitutionality. Anything that comes from the court must be obeyed. So, if by tomorrow there is a contrary judgment, we will obey it to avoid anarchy,” he stated.

Similarly, the PDP National Publicity Secretary, Debo Ologunagba, emphasized that the party was not aware of any stay of execution and had already implemented the Appeal Court ruling. He confirmed that Ude-Okoye had been introduced to key party organs, including the Governors’ Forum and the BoT, as the recognized secretary. “As a party, the judgment is very clear to us. PDP abides by the judgment because we are a rule-of-law-compliant party,” Ologunagba reiterated, urging all members to avoid actions that could escalate tensions.

Calls for Peace Amid Crisis Concerns

Amid the heated debate, party leaders and stakeholders have cautioned against actions that could further divide the PDP. Timothy Osadolor, the Deputy National Youth Leader, warned that the situation, if mismanaged, could exacerbate the party’s internal challenges. “The truth is that those members still fighting, I don’t know who they are fighting for or whose interests they are serving. If we believe we are here to represent Nigerians’ interests, we should close ranks,” he said.

Former Deputy National Publicity Secretary, Diran Odeyemi, also urged both factions to prioritize peace and adhere to the party’s constitution. “The issue regarding the national secretary is very sensitive, and if care is not taken, it could escalate the crisis in the party,” he noted. Odeyemi appealed to both sides to pursue a peaceful resolution, stressing that unity within the PDP was crucial for its role in national development.

As the situation unfolds, the PDP faces a critical test of its commitment to the rule of law and internal cohesion.