PDP Crisis May Escalate As Factional National Secretaries Set For Showdown

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) faces a potential escalation of its internal crisis as two factional secretaries, Sunday Ude-Okoye and Samuel Anyanwu, plan to resume duties at the party’s National Headquarters, Wadata Plaza, Abuja, today.

Both Ude-Okoye and Anyanwu confirmed their intentions to The PUNCH in separate interviews on Sunday.

Naija News reports that the Court of Appeal recently upheld Ude-Okoye as the PDP national secretary, but Anyanwu has refused to accept the ruling, maintaining his claim as the rightful party secretary.

This development has intensified divisions within the PDP, with top officials and members of the National Working Committee (NWC) taking sides. At least 12 NWC members and some governors have thrown their support behind Ude-Okoye, while others remain loyal to Anyanwu.

The party’s crisis, which has persisted since the 2023 elections, has been attributed by many to the leadership of Acting National Chairman Umar Damagum, a close ally of former Rivers State Governor Nyesom Wike. The turmoil has had widespread implications across the party’s structures.

The dispute over the national secretary position began in 2023 when the South-East zone nominated Ude-Okoye to replace Anyanwu, who had emerged as the PDP’s candidate for the Imo State governorship election. The South-East PDP leadership argued that Anyanwu’s candidacy disqualified him from continuing as national secretary.

Ude-Okoye’s nomination led to a series of legal battles, culminating in a December 2024 Court of Appeal decision that upheld his appointment. On December 31, Ude-Okoye attempted to assume office at the party headquarters, but Anyanwu ordered the secretariat’s closure until January 13, creating tension among supporters.

Dancing Naked

In his defense, Ude-Okoye asserted his legitimacy based on the court ruling, dismissing any fears of conflict and emphasizing his commitment to the PDP’s unity.

He told The PUNCH: “Now, if someone truly loves the party, would they plan to destroy it? Would they attempt to scatter the secretariat of the party? If someone knows they are the national secretary, why would they try to destroy their own office?

“But that is for the person planning such things to answer. I cannot be dancing naked in the market with a mad person because, by doing so, I would be mad as well.

“People know when someone is right and when they are just trying to destroy something. When someone is acting as an agent, I am not an agent. I am a PDP member. I am the national secretary, and I will remain the national secretary. I will never come to destroy anything in the PDP.”

2027 Elections

Meanwhile, Anyanwu maintained his position as the secretary, citing a stay of execution filed in court.

He stated “Obviously, they know what a stay of execution means—it means the status quo remains the same. There’s nothing to discuss about it.

“The party will resume tomorrow (today), and I will go straight to my office. Is there anything that will stop me if I say I want to resume? I will resume if I want to resume.”

On a possible showdown, Anyanwu said, “For me, what is important is our party, the PDP. This party is a party of law, and I have filed my case in the Supreme Court. With the stay of execution, we will continue our work and unite our party.

“All these interests are about 2027. Everyone should calm down; it is only God who gives power.”

Law-abiding Party

PDP National Publicity Secretary Debo Ologunagba reaffirmed Ude-Okoye’s position as the legitimate secretary, citing the Appeal Court judgment.

He emphasized the party’s commitment to the rule of law, adding that no stay of execution had been served.

Ologunagba pointed out, “Anybody who is truly a party man, who believes in the rule of law and respects court judgments, would, in the interest of peace and justice, abide by the judgment. So, nobody should resort to self-help, and we must do what is right at any particular time.

“Regardless of what anybody does or says, this party will obey the judgment because we don’t have the power to review it. And if there is another contrary judgment that supersedes this, we will also comply as a law-abiding party.”

Need For Peace

As the PDP grapples with this internal struggle, party leaders, including Deputy National Youth Leader Timothy Osadolor and former Deputy National Publicity Secretary Diran Odeyemi, have called for calm.

Both urged members to prioritize unity and adherence to constitutional guidelines to prevent further damage to the party.

Osadolor stated, “The matter is a serious issue, and if not properly managed, it could degenerate into a complex one. However, I am certain that there will be no showdown.

“You see, the PDP is a very organic party that has internal structures and mechanisms. And above all, it’s a law-abiding party. So, it’s a clear-cut issue. There will be no showdown.

“The truth is this: I am a member of the NWC, but I am sick and tired of the internal crisis within the NWC. If we cannot come together as one, I think this NWC should come up with a solution so that there will be peace in this party, and this country can have peace by extension.

“The truth is that those members still fighting, I don’t know who they are fighting for or whose interests they are serving. But if we believe we are here to represent the overall interests of Nigerians, then we should close ranks and help Nigerians move forward in the process of development.”

“This issue must be managed carefully to avoid worsening the party’s crisis,” Odeyemi warned, appealing to both factions to seek peace and uphold the Constitution.