PDP Crisis Deepens: Samuel Anyanwu Claims He’s Still the Legitimate National Secretary

Samuel Anyanwu, the embattled National Secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), has firmly asserted that he remains the rightful holder of the office, despite mounting legal and political pressure.

In a recent appearance on Nigeria Right Now, a current affairs programme hosted by Dickson Iroegbu, Anyanwu responded to the ongoing dispute over the position, which has divided the party into factions. He claimed that he was the legitimate national secretary, rejecting the claims made by Sunday Ude-Okoye, another PDP chieftain, who has been parading himself as the rightful holder of the office following a controversial court ruling.

The party has been rocked by a fresh internal crisis after the Court of Appeal, in December 2024, ruled that Ude-Okoye should replace Anyanwu. This decision came after the South-East Zonal Executive Committee of the party nominated Ude-Okoye to take over following Anyanwu’s candidacy for governor in Imo State during the 2023 elections.

Despite this setback, Anyanwu has resisted the court’s decision, obtaining several injunctions to prevent his removal from office. On December 20, 2024, the Appeal Court’s ruling dismissed an earlier injunction by the high court which blocked Anyanwu’s removal, stating that the injunction lacked merit. Since then, Ude-Okoye has been acting as the new national secretary.

However, Anyanwu is determined to hold onto his position. “As of today, I am still the national secretary of PDP,” he declared. He revealed that he had immediately appealed the judgment and filed for a stay of execution at the Supreme Court on the same day the Appeal Court issued its decision in favor of Ude-Okoye.

Anyanwu explained that his tenure was secured by multiple court rulings, including a Federal High Court judgment affirming his position. “My position is sacrosanct until December 9, 2025, when my term officially ends,” he affirmed. Anyanwu further clarified that the court rulings, including the high court judgment from November 2023, confirmed that his role was protected until his official term ends.

The clash between Anyanwu and Ude-Okoye has intensified the power struggle within the PDP, with both sides preparing for a protracted legal and political battle over the national secretary’s seat.