PDP Governors, BoT Targeting Me Because of My Ties to Wike – Anyanwu

Embattled National Secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Senator Sam Anyanwu, has accused party governors and the Board of Trustees (BoT) of plotting against him due to his close relationship with the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike. Anyanwu claimed that the push to inaugurate Sunday Udeh-Okoye as the party’s substantive National Secretary is part of a broader scheme to undermine him.

The PDP has been facing internal divisions, with factions split between those aligned with Wike and those opposing his influence. Anyanwu, a longtime ally of the former Rivers State governor, insists that the moves against him are politically motivated. “The truth of the matter is that these people are fighting a proxy war. They know my relationship with Wike—that’s all. I don’t have any issue with any of them,” he said.

He dismissed the governors’ and BoT’s actions, emphasizing that they lack constitutional authority over party affairs. “The governors’ forum is a voluntary group. Any governor can decide to be a member; it’s not compulsory. It’s just a social gathering,” he argued. Anyanwu also pointed out that he has held his position before many of the current governors assumed office, adding, “I was National Secretary before most of them became governors.”

He further alleged that some governors are deliberately fueling crises within the PDP as a strategy to justify their eventual defection and the formation of new political parties. “There is no issue in the party. They are just creating tension, causing unnecessary problems so they can leave for the parties they plan to form,” he claimed.

The conflict escalated after the PDP Governors Forum, in a meeting in Asaba, Delta State, endorsed Udeh-Okoye as National Secretary. This followed a Court of Appeal ruling in Enugu that affirmed Udeh-Okoye’s legitimacy. Udeh-Okoye had been nominated by the South-East Zone after Anyanwu temporarily resigned to contest the 2024 Imo State governorship election. Following his defeat, Anyanwu sought to reclaim the position, but the governors and BoT supported Udeh-Okoye’s appointment in line with party procedures.

The BoT reinforced this stance by adopting the report of a committee led by Barr. Kabiru Tanimu Turaki (SAN), which upheld the court’s ruling in favor of Udeh-Okoye.

Regarding the proposed National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting recommended by the governors, Anyanwu revealed that the PDP National Working Committee (NWC) has yet to convene to initiate the process.