The internal crisis within the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has deepened as a Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Magistrate Court has directed the FCT Police Command to investigate allegations of forgery involving the party’s primary election guidelines.
The order was issued by Magistrate Fatima I. Bukar, prompting law enforcement to interrogate key PDP officials.
Among those questioned were the National Vice Chairman (South-east), Ali Odefa, and factional National Secretary, Chief Sunday Ude-Okoye, along with several staff members from the party’s national secretariat. Additionally, the official printers of the PDP, Abiodun Olu Printers Limited, were summoned but requested additional time, citing their absence from town.
The court’s directive was based on a petition filed by PDP chieftain, Mike Iheanaetu, who alleged that documents presented in legal proceedings that upheld Ude-Okoye as National Secretary were falsified.
The Principal Registrar of the Abuja Magistrate Court, Yusuf Tambaya, formally notified the Deputy Commissioner of Police, instructing a thorough investigation and a report within two weeks. If a prima facie case is established, the court ordered that the defendants be charged accordingly.
Iheanaetu’s petition asserts that the original primary election guidelines were signed on February 17, 2022, by former National Chairman Dr. Iyochia Ayu and National Secretary, Senator Samuel Anyanwu. However, the alleged forged documents lacked a date and signatures. The petition further argues that Section 47(5) of the PDP Constitution does not mandate party officials to resign before contesting public elections.
Conversely, the disputed guidelines state that any political appointee must resign before purchasing Expression of Interest (EOI) and nomination forms, citing Section 84(12) of the Electoral Act 2022. It also allegedly misinterprets Section 47(5) of the PDP Constitution, requiring party executives seeking elective office to resign seven days before obtaining EOI forms.
Iheanaetu’s legal representative, Kalu Kalu, has urged the court to issue a criminal summons against those involved, arguing that the forged guidelines have exacerbated divisions within the party. He maintains that his client has suffered significant harm due to their use.
In response, the FCT Police Command summoned the implicated PDP officials, who provided statements regarding their knowledge of the matter. Investigators have also requested the party’s official printers to present original versions of the guidelines to verify discrepancies.
Suspension of South-south Zonal Secretary
Meanwhile, tensions within the PDP have extended to the South-south region, where the Zonal Executive Committee has suspended its Zonal Secretary, Chief Felix Omemu, for one month. The suspension follows accusations of misconduct and unauthorized public statements discrediting a zonal executive meeting held in Benin City, Edo State.
Omemu had previously issued a statement from Yenagoa, Bayelsa State, challenging the legitimacy of the meeting convened by National Vice Chairman (South-south), Chief Dan Orbih. He contended that such a gathering required approval from the Zonal Working Committee, which he claimed had not sanctioned the meeting.
At the Benin meeting, a motion for Omemu’s suspension was introduced by factional Rivers State House of Assembly Speaker, Martin Chike Amaewhule, and seconded by Hon. Godwin Offiono, a member of the House of Representatives. Amaewhule accused Omemu of breaching trust and inciting division within the party.
Following the suspension, PDP Zonal Legal Adviser George Turnah was appointed as Acting Zonal Secretary. Chief Dan Orbih praised the decision, emphasizing the need to restore order and discipline within the party’s leadership.
The South-south Zonal Executive Committee meeting saw attendance from federal lawmakers representing the region, with the exception of Akwa Ibom State representatives.
