Conflicting Court Rulings Ignite Fresh Tensions In PDP National Secretary Crisis!

The battle for the position of National Secretary in the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has escalated, with Senator Samuel Anyanwu and former National Youth Leader Sunday Ude-Okoye making conflicting claims to the role.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

Despite a court order to maintain the status quo, PDP National Publicity Secretary Debo Ologunagba has declared Ude-Okoye as the recognized National Secretary. However, Anyanwu insists he still holds the position, citing a recent Court of Appeal ruling in Abuja that allows him to remain in office until the Supreme Court decides on the matter.

The controversy began after Anyanwu became the PDP’s governorship candidate for Imo State in 2023. Following his nomination, the party’s South-East zone nominated Ude-Okoye as his replacement, arguing that Anyanwu should step down from the National Secretary position.

On December 20, 2024, the Court of Appeal in Enugu affirmed Ude-Okoye as the National Secretary, with the decision communicated to the party on December 24. Ude-Okoye assumed office on December 30. However, the Court of Appeal in Abuja issued a restraining order last week, allowing Anyanwu to remain in office until the Supreme Court rules on the appeal.

The party’s leadership is now divided. While Ologunagba supports Ude-Okoye, referencing the Enugu judgment, Deputy National Publicity Secretary Ibrahim Abdullahi upholds the Abuja ruling, affirming Anyanwu’s position.

Anyanwu accused certain party members of using outdated constitutional provisions to oust him, stating, “This started with the National Vice Chairman, South-South, who presided over a kangaroo meeting and misled the Enugu State Governor into believing I had violated the constitution.” He also cited a Federal High Court judgment affirming his tenure until December 2025 and noted that an interim stay of execution has been granted while awaiting the Supreme Court’s verdict.

On the other hand, Ude-Okoye dismissed claims of a stay of execution, asserting that he is the legitimate National Secretary. He stated, “There is no stay of execution from any court. The Appeal Court ruled that the status quo should be maintained. I assumed office on December 30, 2024, and I am the National Secretary of the PDP.”

Ude-Okoye accused unnamed individuals of attempting to destabilize the party but pledged to serve with integrity.

The hearing for a stay of execution motion filed by Acting PDP National Chairman Umar Damagum is set for January 27, 2025. Both Anyanwu and Ude-Okoye have emphasized the need for unity within the party, despite their differing claims to the position.