PDP national secretary crisis: Ude-Okoye insists on legitimacy amid court conflicts

DDM News

The controversy surrounding the position of National Secretary in the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has intensified as Sunday Ude-Okoye and Senator Samuel Anyanwu stake opposing claims to the office.

Diaspora digital media (DDM) reported that despite conflicting court rulings, Ude-Okoye maintains that he is the legitimate National Secretary of the PDP.

The crisis began after Senator Anyanwu secured the PDP governorship ticket for Imo State in 2023.

Following his nomination, the PDP South-East zone nominated Sunday Ude-Okoye to replace him, arguing that Anyanwu should vacate the National Secretary position.

On December 20, 2024, the Court of Appeal in Enugu ruled in favor of Ude-Okoye, affirming his appointment as the National Secretary.

Four days later, the party officially received the ruling, and Ude-Okoye assumed office on December 30, 2024.

However, a conflicting judgment emerged when the Court of Appeal in Abuja issued a restraining order last week, allowing Anyanwu to retain the office until the Supreme Court resolves the matter.

This development deepened the divide within the PDP, as party leaders took sides.

PDP National Publicity Secretary, Debo Ologunagba, publicly supported Ude-Okoye, citing the Enugu judgment as binding.

“The PDP is a party of law and order.

“We have complied with the Enugu judgment, and Honorable Ude-Okoye is the recognized National Secretary,” Ologunagba stated.

In contrast, Deputy National Publicity Secretary, Ibrahim Abdullahi, backed Anyanwu, affirming the Abuja ruling.

He argued that the restraining order issued by the Court of Appeal in Abuja should remain effective until the Supreme Court decides on the appeal.

Senator Anyanwu has continued to assert his claim to the position, accusing certain party members of manipulating outdated constitutional provisions to remove him.

He revealed that he obtained a Federal High Court judgment affirming his tenure as National Secretary until December 2025.

“The issue began with the National Vice Chairman, South-South, who orchestrated an illegal meeting and convinced the Enugu State Governor that I had violated the PDP constitution,” Anyanwu stated during an interview with Punch.

He added that his legal team has already filed an appeal at the Supreme Court and secured an interim stay of execution.

Sunday Ude-Okoye, on the other hand, dismissed Anyanwu’s claims.

He emphasized that no court has issued a stay of execution against the Enugu judgment, which declared him the legitimate National Secretary.

“I assumed office on December 30, 2024, as directed by the court.

“There is no stay of execution, and I remain the National Secretary of the PDP,” Ude-Okoye insisted.

Ude-Okoye also accused certain individuals of attempting to destabilize the party but vowed to focus on his duties with integrity and transparency.

“My priority is to strengthen the PDP and ensure we maintain unity, despite these distractions,” he stated.

Meanwhile, Anyanwu called on PDP leaders to prioritize unity over personal ambitions.

“This is not just about me; it is about preserving the integrity of our party.

“The law is clear, and I will continue to fight for justice,” he remarked.

The Acting National Chairman of the PDP, Umar Damagum, has filed a motion for a stay of execution at the Supreme Court.

The hearing is scheduled for January 27, 2025, and is expected to provide clarity on the matter.

Despite their opposing claims, both Anyanwu and Ude-Okoye have stressed the importance of party unity.

While Anyanwu believes the law supports his tenure, Ude-Okoye argues that his appointment aligns with the party’s constitution and judicial directives.

As the PDP awaits the Supreme Court’s decision, the crisis highlights the ongoing challenges in maintaining cohesion within the party’s leadership.

The outcome will not only determine the National Secretary’s legitimacy but also set a precedent for handling internal conflicts in the PDP’s future.

For Diaspora Digital Media Updates click on Whatsapp, or Telegram. For eyewitness accounts/ reports/ articles, write to: citizenreports@diasporadigitalmedia.com. Follow us on X (Fomerly Twitter) or Facebook