Senator Samuel Anyanwu, on Monday, resumed duty at the party’s national headquarters, even as the PDP Governors Forum on Sunday approved Ude-Okoye as the party’s national secretary.
The PDP Governors Forum led by Bauchi State Governor, Bala Mohammed, on Friday confirmed Ude-Okoye as the party’s National Secretary, citing the decision of the Court of Appeal and urged the National Task Force of the Committee to implement the decision.
However, shortly after noon, Anyanwu, dressed in white, arrived at the PDP national headquarters at Wadata Plaza and went straight to his office to conduct party business.
Recall that the PDP faced significant turbulence on the internal front and after the 2023 general elections, which have generated medium instability in the party.
These problems have caused deep divisions, making difficult to resolve conflicts within the party.
Umar Damagum, the acting National Chairman, has faced growing criticism from party members who blame him for the party’s continued struggles. He took over from Iyorchia Ayu, the former National Chairman, who was removed by the court for failing to implement necessary reforms, adding further complications to the partys leadership transition.
The leadership crisis within the PDP has been exacerbated by disagreements surrounding the National Secretary position.
In 2023, the South East zone of the party nominated the former National Youth Leader to replace Anyanwu, who had been chosen as the partys candidate for the Imo State governorship election.
This appointment caused new divisions, with the south East faction demanding Anyanwu’s resignation from his position due to his new political commitments. On December 20, 2024, the Enugu Court of Appeal ruled in Ude-Okoye’s favour, confirming him as the new national secretary, and the official was sent to the party leadership on December 24.
However, the situation took a new turn on January 27, 2025, when the Court of Appeal in Abuja issued a restraining order, instructing Anyanwu to remain in his position until the Supreme Court issues a final ruling.
Tensions escalated on Wednesday when supporters of Anyanwu forcibly removed Ude-Okoye from the Board of Trustees meeting, prompting security intervention to restore order. In response, PDP governors, led by Bauchi State Governor Bala Mohammed, endorsed the Court of Appeals judgment and urged the NWC to take steps to implement it.
During a meeting in Asaba, Delta State, they also distanced themselves from Anyanwu, confirming Ude-Okoye as the partys National Secretary.
In his petition to the IG, Supreme Court, and Appeal Court, among others, Anyanwu insisted that he remains the PDP National Secretary.
