PDP Faces Leadership Crisis Over National Secretary Position

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) is teetering on the edge of a fresh leadership crisis, with a heated dispute over the rightful occupant of the national secretary post. Senator Sam Anyanwu and Sunday Ude-Okoye are at the center of the tussle, threatening to destabilize the main opposition party.

Anyanwu, who held the position, stepped aside last year to pursue the governorship candidacy in the November 11, 2023, Imo State election, yet failed to formally resign. The Board of Trustees (BoT) recently urged the recognition of Ude-Okoye as the National Secretary in compliance with a court judgment.

Support for Ude-Okoye’s recognition extends to key figures within the party, with Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde aligning himself with the BoT. Makinde emphasized the imprudence of holding two positions simultaneously, echoing the BoT’s stance.

Amidst the controversy, the PDP South East Zonal Executive recommended Ude-Okoye as the replacement, asserting that Anyanwu’s dual roles could be a distraction. However, the National Working Committee (NWC) contends that the official communication required by the party’s constitution was lacking.

Legal battles add complexity to the situation. Ude-Okoye secured a court order in Enugu last October, compelling the party to recognize him as the national secretary. Conversely, a federal high court in Abuja declared Anyanwu as the valid national secretary earlier this month, restraining the PDP from appointing anyone else until his term ends in 2025.

The BoT, led by Adolphus Wabara, has issued a stern warning to the NWC about the repercussions of not adhering to the court’s order, citing the potential loss of seats in upcoming bye-elections. The BoT emphasized the importance of obeying court judgments to avoid a repeat of the party’s losses in Plateau State.

Governor Makinde, in a letter expressing gratitude to the BoT, echoed the call for compliance with the court order, emphasizing the need for the party to uphold principles of equity and justice.

However, the PDP National Publicity Secretary, Debo Ologunagba, downplayed the situation, asserting that the party remains united and governed by its constitution. He declined to comment specifically on the national secretary position, maintaining that there is no crisis within the party.