The National Secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Senator Samuel Anyanwu, has firmly declared that he will not step down from his position despite increasing pressure from within the party.
Addressing journalists in Abuja on Wednesday, Anyanwu pointed fingers directly at Governors Seyi Makinde of Oyo State and Peter Mbah of Enugu State, whom he accused of plotting a “political coup” to install a new secretary against the PDP’s constitution and zoning agreement.
“There is no vacancy in the office of the National Secretary of the PDP. I remain the substantive National Secretary whose tenure runs until December 2025,” Anyanwu stated.
He clarified that his absence from the party was due to his decision to contest the 2023 governorship race in Imo State. According to him, he took a formal leave of absence and followed the correct procedure by informing both the party and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
“I wrote to the party and to INEC before proceeding on leave. That letter was acknowledged. My deputy only acted on my behalf. At no time did I resign my position,” he said.
Anyanwu questioned the logic behind attempts to replace him with a candidate from Enugu State, insisting that the position is specifically zoned to the South-East and micro-zoned to Imo State.
“If the zoning principle is to be respected, any replacement must come from Imo State, not Enugu. Governor Mbah is pushing for a replacement that violates the PDP’s own zoning formula,” he noted.
The PDP secretary also alleged that former South-East National Vice Chairman, Hon. Ali Odefa, was working behind the scenes to discredit him. He described Odefa’s role in the crisis as baseless, pointing out that Odefa had already been expelled from the party.
“Odefa’s tenure expired in March. He was expelled from the party and the High Court confirmed it. He has no business attending or convening any PDP meeting,” Anyanwu explained.
He referenced a court ruling from January 26, 2025, which he said declared any meeting led or attended by Odefa as legally invalid.
“The judgment states clearly that any meeting presided over or attended by Ali Odefa is infected with the virus of fundamental illegality and cannot stand. That ruling has not been appealed. It remains binding and enforceable,” he said.
According to Anyanwu, efforts to replace him with Mr. Sunday Ude-Okoye were carried out without proper party procedures. He claimed governors used their influence to manipulate the process, including pressuring party staff and using unauthorized venues for meetings.
“How can governors gang up to insert someone as Secretary? This is the height of impunity. Staff were sponsored, and processes were bypassed,” he said.
He dismissed claims of allegiance to FCT Minister Nyesom Wike, stating his loyalty remains with the PDP.
“I can never deny my friend. After political offices, life continues. I’m not the type to sacrifice loyalty for convenience,” he said.
Anyanwu also denied any involvement in a political merger or coalition, maintaining that the PDP is not merging with any other party.
“There is no coalition. PDP is not merging with anyone. Other parties can join us if they like, but we are not surrendering our identity,” he noted.
He expressed disappointment in PDP leaders who failed to support his governorship run but are now calling for his removal.
“I contested that election without a kobo from the party. None of those now calling for my resignation helped me. Yet they want me out?” he said.
Anyanwu warned that declaring his office vacant could legally void several party actions, including congresses and nominations since November 2023.
“If my office is nullified, then every action I’ve taken, every congress and nomination, is also null and void. That means PDP has no structure nationwide,” he warned.
As the party approaches its next convention, Anyanwu called for unity, asking party leaders to put aside personal differences for the future of the PDP.
He said, “Let us go in peace. We came into this as a family. Let’s not destroy the house because of selfish interests.”
