Samuel Anyanwu Breaks Silence on Controversial Removal Attempt within PDP

Samuel Anyanwu, the National Secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), has revealed how the party’s former South East Zonal Vice Chairman, Ali Odefa, allegedly schemed to have him removed from office. Despite these efforts, Anyanwu asserted that his position, which he secured at a national convention, can only be revoked at another national convention.

Anyanwu made this disclosure during an ongoing meeting with members of the National Working Committee (NWC) from the South East, alongside key stakeholders from the region.

“In 2023, I expressed my intention to run for the governorship of my state and informed the party that I would be away for three months,” Anyanwu explained. “I also requested my deputy to act in my absence. However, unbeknownst to me, Ali Odefa was working behind the scenes to have me removed from office.”

He further accused Odefa of misleading the only PDP governor in the South East, Peter Mbah, convincing him that Anyanwu needed to be replaced.

The National Secretary position has been a source of contention since Anyanwu’s departure to contest the Imo governorship race, which he ultimately lost. During his absence, the South East Caucus of the party endorsed Sunday Ude-Okoye to step in as the new National Secretary.

Following his defeat in the election, Anyanwu’s attempts to reclaim the role have escalated tensions within the party. This struggle took a legal turn when an Appeal Court in Enugu, on December 20, 2024, upheld a previous High Court decision that removed Anyanwu from his position, affirming Ude-Okoye’s legitimacy as the National Secretary.

However, Anyanwu is not backing down and has filed for a Stay of Execution and Appeal. The PDP has also appointed Dr. Musa (SAN) as the party’s legal representative in what has become a pivotal battle for control within the party.