In a decisive move to quell the leadership crisis within the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), governors elected on the party’s platform have reaffirmed Sunday Ude-Okoye as the National Secretary, rejecting Samuel Anyanwu’s claims to the position. This endorsement follows a recent Appeal Court judgment in Enugu State, solidifying Ude-Okoye’s legitimacy amid a deepening power tussle.
Meeting in Asaba, Delta State, on Friday, the PDP Governors’ Forum, led by Bauchi State Governor Bala Mohammed, distanced itself from Anyanwu and upheld the judicial ruling in favor of Ude-Okoye. In a communique signed by Governor Mohammed, the governors directed acting National Chairman Umar Damagum and the National Working Committee (NWC) to convene a National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting by March 13, 2025, to formally implement the decision.
The PDP has been embroiled in a prolonged internal crisis, exacerbated before and after the 2023 general elections. Damagum, who took over the party’s leadership following Iyorchia Ayu’s departure, has faced criticism over the PDP’s struggles, with factions emerging over control of key positions.
The leadership feud escalated in 2023 when the PDP South-East zone nominated Ude-Okoye to replace Anyanwu, who had resigned to contest the Imo State governorship election. The Appeal Court delivered a ruling on December 20, 2024, affirming Ude-Okoye’s legitimacy, but the Court of Appeal in Abuja later issued a restraining order on January 27, 2025, allowing Anyanwu to retain the seat pending a Supreme Court verdict.
The infighting took a dramatic turn on Thursday, when Anyanwu’s supporters stormed a Board of Trustees meeting, physically ejecting Ude-Okoye in a chaotic scene that required security intervention.
In response, the PDP Governors’ Forum insisted that the NWC must enforce the court’s decision, stating:
“The Forum advises the NWC to set up the necessary mechanisms to ensure full compliance with the Appeal Court ruling and restore stability to the party.”
Beyond the party crisis, the PDP governors took a strong stance on national issues, criticizing the Federal Government’s economic policies, which they argue have caused severe hardship and economic pain for Nigerians. They called for urgent policy adjustments to alleviate the suffering of citizens.
The forum also commended security forces for their efforts in tackling banditry and reassured Nigerians of the PDP’s commitment to restoring the country’s pre-2015 prosperity, security, and economic stability.
With the Supreme Court yet to deliver a final ruling, the battle for PDP’s National Secretary position remains a high-stakes affair, reflecting the deep fractures within Nigeria’s main opposition party.
PIONEER NEWS 