PDP Leadership Intact: Samuel Anyanwu Insists on Legitimacy as National Secretary

The embattled National Secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Samuel Anyanwu, has reaffirmed his claim to the position, asserting that he remains the legitimate officeholder. Anyanwu made this declaration during an appearance on Nigeria Right Now, a current affairs program hosted by Dickson Iroegbu....CONTINUE READING>>>

The PDP is currently facing a leadership crisis as both Anyanwu and Sunday Ude-Okoye, a party chieftain, are claiming the office of National Secretary. This dispute follows a December ruling by the Court of Appeal, which ordered Ude-Okoye to replace Anyanwu in the role.

The controversy began when the PDP South-East Zonal Executive Committee nominated Ude-Okoye to succeed Anyanwu after he became the party’s gubernatorial candidate in Imo State for the 2023 elections. Anyanwu, however, secured multiple court injunctions to prevent his removal.

In a judgment delivered on December 20, 2024, Justice Ridwan Abdullahi of the Court of Appeal dismissed the earlier high court ruling that upheld Anyanwu’s position, citing a lack of merit. This decision prompted Ude-Okoye to assume the title of National Secretary, further escalating tensions within the party.

In response, Anyanwu revealed that he had immediately appealed the ruling to the Supreme Court and filed for a stay of execution on the same day the appellate court delivered its verdict.

“As of today, I remain the National Secretary of the PDP,” Anyanwu stated. “On December 20, the Court of Appeal in Enugu upheld a state high court judgment against me. However, I had previously secured a federal high court judgment affirming my position.

“Let me remind everyone that in November 2023, a state high court ruled that I should have resigned before contesting for the governorship. I then appealed to the Federal High Court in Abuja, which ruled in my favor, affirming that my tenure as National Secretary, elected at the convention, remains valid until December 9, 2025,” he explained.

The PDP’s leadership crisis has sparked further debates within the party, as supporters of both Anyanwu and Ude-Okoye await the final decision from the Supreme Court.