The PDP crisis has escalated over the emergence of two national secretaries.
NewsOnline Nigeriareports that the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) is facing a deepening leadership crisis as Sunday Ude-Okoye and Senator Sam Anyanwu continue to lay claim to the position of National Secretary.
This Nigeria news platform understands that the disagreement has created divisions within the party’s National Working Committee (NWC) and Board of Trustees (BoT), threatening to destabilize the opposition party as its national secretariat reopens after the holidays.
Sunday Ude-Okoye, recently declared the National Secretary by the Court of Appeal in Enugu, has gained the backing of several NWC members and BoT leaders. However, Senator Anyanwu insists he remains the legitimate officeholder, citing his pending appeal at the Supreme Court to uphold the status quo.
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“I remain the National Secretary. The status quo is intact because my appeal is ongoing,” Anyanwu told Nigerian Tribune on Wednesday, dismissing Ude-Okoye’s authority to assume the position.
The Court of Appeal ruled in favor of Ude-Okoye, affirming his nomination by the PDP’s South East Zone as Anyanwu’s replacement following the latter’s resignation to contest the Imo State governorship election.
After his electoral defeat, Anyanwu returned to reclaim the position, arguing that the office was never vacant.
Ude-Okoye, however, asserts that his nomination and the court’s ruling confirm his legitimacy. His presence at the party’s Wadata Plaza secretariat during the holidays signals his intent to assume full office control.
The conflict has raised concerns about the PDP’s adherence to its constitution and internal governance. Senator Anyanwu argues that the Court of Appeal overstepped by intervening in what he views as internal party matters. He also accuses Ude-Okoye of bypassing the party’s internal dispute resolution mechanisms, a violation of PDP rules.
Additionally, Anyanwu questioned the jurisdiction of the judiciary in resolving leadership disputes within political parties, maintaining that such matters are not justiciable.
PDP National Publicity Secretary, Debo Ologunagba, confirmed the party’s receipt of the Appeal Court ruling on December 24, 2024, and reiterated the party’s commitment to the rule of law.
“As a law-abiding party, we respect judicial pronouncements and will uphold this culture,” Ologunagba stated.
As the PDP secretariat reopens, both factions are expected to take steps to strengthen their claims. While Ude-Okoye’s supporters are preparing for his formal assumption of office, Anyanwu’s camp remains resolute in defending his position.
