The embattled National Secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Samuel Anyanwu, on Monday, resumed duties at the National Headquarters despite a recent endorsement by the PDP Governors’ Forum of Sunday Ude-Okoye as his successor.
The endorsement, which occurred on February 2, 2025, was based on a ruling by the Court of Appeal, but Anyanwu’s actions have raised further concerns about the party’s internal divisions. The PDP Governors’ Forum, led by Bauchi State Governor Bala Mohammed, confirmed Ude-Okoye as the new National Secretary, urging the National Working Committee (NWC) to act upon the court’s decision.
The ruling had been issued in December 2024, affirming Ude-Okoye’s appointment. The Governors’ Forum, meeting in Asaba, Delta State, also distanced themselves from Anyanwu, pushing for the swift implementation of the court’s judgment.
However, despite the endorsement, Anyanwu made his move on Friday, February 2, 2025, by arriving at the Wadata Plaza, the PDP National Headquarters, just after noon. Dressed in white, Anyanwu proceeded directly to his office, where he resumed handling party affairs, defying the governors’ call for Ude-Okoye to take over.
The leadership struggle within the PDP is far from new. The party has faced significant internal challenges since the 2023 general elections, marked by leadership instability and growing divisions. These issues have led to ongoing disputes over key party positions, including the role of National Secretary.
Anyanwu’s situation further complicated the leadership battle when he was nominated to run for the Imo State governorship election, sparking demands for his resignation from the position of National Secretary.
In December 2024, the Appeal Court in Enugu ruled in favor of Ude-Okoye, confirming his appointment as the new National Secretary. However, a fresh twist emerged on January 27, 2025, when the Court of Appeal in Abuja issued a restraining order, instructing Anyanwu to remain in his position until the Supreme Court made a final ruling on the matter.
Tensions reached a boiling point when Anyanwu’s supporters forcibly removed Ude-Okoye from the Board of Trustees meeting on January 31, 2025, resulting in a security intervention to restore order. This move added fuel to the fire as PDP governors, led by Governor Bala Mohammed, took a firm stance in support of Ude-Okoye’s confirmation.
In response to the growing controversy, Anyanwu submitted a petition to the Inspector General of Police, the Supreme Court, and the Appeal Court, among other authorities. He insists that he remains the legitimate National Secretary of the party and has called for intervention to resolve what he described as a brewing crisis.
