Chaos erupted at the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) headquarters in Abuja on Wednesday when suspected thugs stormed a Board of Trustees (BoT) meeting, causing confusion and disrupting proceedings. The meeting was chaired by the Acting National Chairman of the PDP, Ambassador Umar Damagum, and was attended by several high-profile party members.
Among them were National Secretary Senator Samuel Anyanwu, Senator Ben Obi, BoT Chairman Senator Adolphus Wabara, Board Secretary Senator Ahmed Makarfi, former Niger State Governor Babangida Aliyu, Chief Olagunsoye Oyinlola, and former National Youth Leader Sunday Ude-Okoye.
Tensions quickly escalated when a dispute broke out between Anyanwu and Ude-Okoye, both of whom are laying claim to the position of PDP National Secretary.
Sources at the scene told DAILY POST that Ude-Okoye arrived at the venue before Acting Chairman Damagum and Anyanwu. However, after Anyanwu’s arrival, Ude-Okoye was reportedly forced out of the meeting, sparking further commotion.
The leadership dispute dates back to 2023 when the PDP’s South East zone nominated Ude-Okoye to replace Anyanwu as National Secretary. At the time, Anyanwu had been selected as the party’s governorship candidate for Imo State, leading many to argue that he should step down from his national position. This disagreement has since fueled internal party tensions.
The legal battle over the National Secretary position took another turn on December 20, 2024, when an Appeal Court in Enugu upheld a High Court ruling that removed Anyanwu and confirmed Ude-Okoye as the rightful occupant of the office. However, just last week, the Court of Appeal in Abuja issued a restraining order allowing Anyanwu to remain in office until the Supreme Court delivers a final ruling.
