PDP Divided As Legal Dispute Over National Secretary Deepens

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) is facing fresh turmoil within its National Working Committee (NWC) as legal battles over the position of the National Secretary intensify.

The internal division has deepened following a Court of Appeal ruling in Enugu that removed Senator Samuel Anyanwu and declared former National Youth Leader, Sunday Okoye, as the substantive National Secretary.

A senior NWC member, speaking on condition of anonymity, revealed to Punch that the ruling has divided party leadership.

While Acting National Chairman Umar Damagum and National Organising Secretary Umar Bature are reportedly cautious about the judgment, other NWC members, including the PDP Legal Adviser Kamaldeen Ajibade, SAN, and National Publicity Secretary Debo Ologunagba, insist on enforcing the ruling.

“Majority of us are clear that the court’s decision must be upheld. The judgment is binding, and delaying it will only worsen the party’s challenges,” the source said.

The ruling followed a long-standing dispute after the South East PDP nominated Ude-Okoye to replace Anyanwu, who became the party’s governorship candidate for the Imo State election.

The nomination triggered legal battles, with conflicting court rulings complicating the matter until the Appeal Court upheld the Enugu High Court’s decision.

Party insiders have pointed fingers at Damagum, accusing him of leveraging Anyanwu’s support to sustain his position during the NWC’s factional crisis.

National Publicity Secretary, Debo Ologunagba reaffirmed the party’s stance to respect the court’s decision. “The PDP is a law-abiding party. We will adhere to the judgment in the interest of justice and party unity,” he stated.

However, efforts by Damagum to appeal the judgment have raised concerns among members that the leadership is prioritising factional interests over unity.

He said, “What I know is that the NWC is once again divided. Damagum, the NOS, and Anyanwu are on one side, attempting to appeal or possibly delay the implementation of the judgment until they can find a political solution.

“On the other hand, some NWC members, such as the National Legal Adviser, Ologunagba, the Treasurer, and the PDP Financial Secretary, among others, want Anyanwu removed and Okoye supported as the PDP National Secretary.

“There is a palpable fear within the party at this moment. This has reignited the crisis in the party’s NWC. While Wike is backing Damagum and Anyanwu in their efforts to overturn the judgment, the opposing side has the support of Bauchi State Governor Bala Mohammed, Rivers State Governor Sim Fubara, and several other governors and party leaders.”

Okoye in his reaction to the development stated that in accordance with the Enugu Appeal Court ruling, he was the legitimate National Secretary of the party.

The former National Youth Leader, who insisted that Anyanwu’s dismissal stood, confirmed that the PDP remained a united party.

He stated, “The Enugu judgment of 20th December 2024 affirmed me as the PDP National Secretary, and Sam Anyanwu is now a former National Secretary.

“The judgment is very explicit, and I have resumed my role as the PDP National Secretary. The judgment directed that I be sworn in within 24 hours, and I have not heard anyone from the party openly refusing this judgment. So, the judgment has perfected my position as the PDP substantive National Secretary.”

Anyanwu, on his part in an interview with Punch, stated, “The matter has been appealed on the same date. So, as I am concerned there is no issue about that.”