The embattled National Secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Senator Samuel Anyanwu, has resumed duty at the party’s National Headquarters despite the PDP Governors’ Forum endorsing Sunday Ude-Okoye as the party’s scribe.
On Friday, the PDP Governors’ Forum, led by Bauchi State Governor Bala Mohammed, confirmed Ude-Okoye as the National Secretary, citing an Appeal Court ruling. The governors also instructed the party’s National Working Committee (NWC) to implement the judgment.
However, defying the endorsement, Punch reports that Anyanwu arrived at the PDP National Headquarters at Wadata Plaza shortly after noon, dressed in white, and proceeded straight to his office to conduct party affairs.
The PDP has been embroiled in internal crises before and after the 2023 general elections, leading to deep divisions within the party.
Acting National Chairman Umar Damagum has come under fire from members who accuse him of failing to stabilize the party since taking over from former National Chairman Iyorchia Ayu.
The battle over the position of National Secretary has further complicated matters.
In 2023, the PDP’s South East zone nominated Ude-Okoye, a former National Youth Leader, to replace Anyanwu, who had become the party’s governorship candidate in Imo State.
The Appeal Court in Enugu ruled in favour of Ude-Okoye on December 20, 2024, and an official notification was sent to the party leadership on December 24.
However, on January 27, 2025, the Court of Appeal in Abuja issued a restraining order, allowing Anyanwu to remain in office until the Supreme Court makes a final ruling.
Tensions flared on Wednesday when Anyanwu’s supporters forcibly removed Ude-Okoye from a Board of Trustees meeting, prompting security intervention.
In response, PDP governors reaffirmed their support for Ude-Okoye during a meeting in Asaba, Delta State, distancing themselves from Anyanwu and urging the NWC to enforce the Appeal Court’s ruling.
Anyanwu, in a petition to the Inspector General of Police, the Supreme Court, and the Appeal Court, insisted that he remains the legitimate PDP National Secretary.
He described the governors’ backing of Ude-Okoye as a deliberate provocation and called for intervention to prevent further escalation of the crisis.
