The power struggle within the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has taken a dramatic turn as Senator Samuel Anyanwu defiantly resumed office as National Secretary at the party’s Wadata Plaza headquarters in Abuja on Monday, February 3, 2025. His return challenges the endorsement of Sunday Ude-Okoye by the PDP Governors’ Forum, further escalating the leadership crisis rocking the opposition party.
Tensions escalated following the forum’s directive on January 31, 2025, led by Bauchi State Governor Bala Mohammed, instructing the party’s National Working Committee (NWC) to recognize Ude-Okoye as the rightful National Secretary, citing a December 2024 Appeal Court ruling in Enugu that declared him the legitimate occupant of the seat. Despite this, Anyanwu, dressed in all white, arrived at the national headquarters by noon, heading straight to his office to resume work.
The ongoing battle over the party’s National Secretary position stems from deep-seated political rivalries. In 2023, Ude-Okoye was nominated by the South-East zone to replace Anyanwu after the latter became the PDP’s governorship candidate for Imo State. However, Anyanwu’s refusal to relinquish the position has led to divisions within the party, sparking multiple legal battles and internal chaos.
A dramatic twist came on January 27, 2025, when the Court of Appeal in Abuja issued a restraining order preventing Anyanwu’s removal, effectively allowing him to retain his position until the Supreme Court delivers a final ruling. This directly contradicts the earlier Enugu Appeal Court decision favoring Ude-Okoye, creating a legal stalemate.
The crisis turned violent on January 29, 2025, when Anyanwu’s supporters stormed a Board of Trustees meeting, forcibly ejecting Ude-Okoye and prompting security forces to intervene. This move heightened concerns about factional clashes within the party as tensions boiled over.
Despite mounting pressure, PDP governors met in Asaba, Delta State, reaffirming their support for Ude-Okoye and instructing the party’s leadership to implement the Enugu Appeal Court’s judgment. However, Anyanwu has dismissed their directive, accusing the governors of attempting to instigate a fresh round of crises within the party. He has petitioned the Inspector General of Police and other relevant authorities, arguing that the matter remains in court and any action against him would be a violation of due process.
With the PDP’s leadership in turmoil, the party’s Board of Trustees has stepped in, forming a high-powered committee led by Barrister Kabiru Tanimu Turaki, SAN, to mediate between the warring factions. The committee is expected to engage both sides and present recommendations to prevent further instability.
As the PDP battles for internal cohesion ahead of crucial national elections, the unfolding drama raises concerns over the party’s ability to maintain unity and function as an effective opposition force.
