Who is PDP National Secretary?

By Jide Babalola

Former National Youth Leader of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Sunday Ude-Okoye yesterday said that he would soon resume as national secretary.

He said Senator Samuel Anyanwu has ceased to be national secretary, following the judgment of the Court of Appeal that displaced him.

Ude-Okoye had approached the court seeking the nullification of Anyanwu’s return to the position after his failed governorship bid in Imo State.

However, a member of the House of Representatives, who spoke on the condition of anonymity, said nobody can be recognised as the authentic national secretary until the judgment of the Supreme Court on the matter.

Anyanwu and the acting national chairman, Ambassador Umar Damagum, enjoys the backing of Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister Nyesom Wike.

However, last week, the Appeal Court sitting in Enugu upheld a High Court ruling that invalidated Anyanwu’s position as secretary and reaffirmed Ude Okoye’s claim to the position.

Justice Ridwan Abdullahi, who delivered the judgment, said Anyanwu’s return to the position of national secretary after emerging as the PDP governorship candidate in Imo State in last year’s elections violated the party’s constitution.

The judge said Anyanwu’s appeal lacked merit.

Although the judge ordered the implementation of the judgement within 24 hours, Anyanwu has held on to the position while his supporters claimed that only the Supreme Court can invalidate the claim.

Ude-Okoye rejected the claim, saying that PDP may run into turbulence because Anyanwu’s authority to organize activities, sign documents and conduct the official activities lacks legal backing.

He told reporters in Abuja that Anyanwu’s continued stay in office may jeopardise the party’s preparation for national convention next year.

Ude-Okoye said: “If Anyanwu continues in this role and oversees the convention, all decisions, including the potential selection of a presidential candidate, could be nullified if challenged in court.”

He warned about the consequences of harbouring an interloper as party secretary.

Ude-Okoye added: “This is not just about me. It’s about the survival of the party; we are all bound by the Appeal Court’s judgment.

“This is a defining moment for the PDP; we must respect the rule of law and prioritize the party’s collective interests over personal ambitions. How the PDP navigates this internal crisis will determine its ability to maintain its role as Nigeria’s leading opposition party.”

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