The crisis over the position of national secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) deepens with Senator Samuel Anyanwu and former national youth leader Sunday Udeokoye making conflicting claims for the secretaryship.
Despite a court order to maintain the status quo, the PDP National Publicity Secretary, Mr. Debo Ologunagba, has declared that Mr. Ude Okoye can be recognized as the National Secretary.
On the contrary, Anyanwu is insisting on retaining his position, citing a recent Abuja Court of Appeal ruling that allowed him to remain in office until the Supreme Court resolves the matter.
Naija News understands that the controversy stems from Mr Anyanwu’s selection as the PDP governorship candidate for Imo State in 2023.
Following his nomination, the South East region of the party nominated Ude Okoye as his successor, insisting that Anyanwu should vacate the post of national secretary.
On December 20, 2024, the Court of Appeal in Enugu approved the appointment of Udeokoye as PDP National Secretary.
This decision was formally communicated to the party on December 24th and Mr Ude Okoye assumed office on December 30th.
But the Abuja Court of Appeal last week issued a restraining order allowing Anyanwu to remain in office until the Supreme Court resolves his appeal.
Opinions among the PDP leadership are divided on this issue. Referring to the Enugu judgment, Ologunagba said, “PDP is a law and order party. The Enugu judgment has been complied with and His Royal Highness Udeokoye is the recognized head of the state.”
In contrast, the Deputy National Publicity Secretary, Ibrahim Abdullahi, supported the Abuja judgment and asserted that Mr. Anyanwu is the legitimate National Publicity Secretary.
In an interview with Punch, Anyangwu accused some party members of abusing outdated constitutional provisions to oust him.
“The matter is very clear. This started with the National Vice-President South South presiding over the kangaroo meeting and making the Enugu State Governor believe that I was violating the constitution,” he said. .
Anyangwu added that he had obtained a Federal High Court judgment affirming his position and declaring his term of office valid until December 2025.
“We then appealed to the Supreme Court, which granted an interim stay of the execution,” he said, calling on party leaders to prioritize unity over personal ambitions.
Mr. Ude Okoye rejected the claim for a stay of execution, insisting that he was the legitimate Secretary of State.
“No court has issued a stay order. The Court of Appeal has ruled that the status quo should remain. I will assume office on December 30, 2024 and am the national secretary of the PDP,” he said. Ta.
Mr. Ude Okoye accused certain persons of trying to destabilize the party but vowed to remain focused and serve with integrity.
The hearing on the motion for stay of execution filed by the Acting PDP National Chairman, Mr. Umar Damagum, is scheduled for January 27, 2025.
Both Mr. Anyanwu and Mr. Ude Okoye emphasized the need for party unity, despite differing interpretations of the law and positions.
