A brewing crisis within the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) over the position of national secretary has escalated, with conflicting court orders and a battle between Samuel Anyanwu and Sunday Ude-Okoye for the role.
The contention arose when Samuel Anyanwu, the incumbent national secretary, stepped aside to contest the Imo State governorship election under the PDP banner but did not formally resign from the national secretary position. A conflict ensued over who would assume the role, with Sunday Ude-Okoye nominated by the PDP in the South-east.
A High Court in Enugu State ordered the replacement of Anyanwu with Ude-Okoye in October 2023. However, the PDP National Working Committee (NWC) filed a motion to set aside the order, citing fraud and lack of specificity in the court’s directive.
In a recent development, a Federal High Court in Abuja declared Anyanwu as the valid national secretary and restrained the PDP leadership from appointing anyone to the position until the expiration of Anyanwu’s term in December 2025. This decision contradicts the Enugu State High Court order.
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The PDP’s Board of Trustees (BOT) has urged recognition of Ude-Okoye, warning of consequences if the court order is not obeyed. The BOT argued that the Abuja court ruling did not nullify the Enugu State High Court order, and only a higher court could override it.
Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State expressed support for the BOT’s stance, emphasizing the importance of adhering to equity, justice, and fairness within the party.
The internal strife has implications for the PDP’s internal cohesion and potential consequences in upcoming elections. The PDP, facing a dilemma, must navigate the legal complexities to ensure stability and unity within its ranks.
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