Bode George Backs Ude-Okoye as PDP National Secretary, Calls for Unity
In a significant move, Bode George, a respected elder statesman and member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Board of Trustees, has expressed his full support for the recognition of Sunday Ude-Okoye as the legitimate National Secretary of the party.
The ongoing dispute between Ude-Okoye and Samuel Anyanwu over the PDP National Secretary position has created tension within the party, with both men claiming the role. However, after a meeting of the Board of Trustees on Wednesday, a resolution was passed urging the party’s National Working Committee to immediately swear in Ude-Okoye as the party’s official national secretary.
Speaking on Channels Television’s Politics Today on Friday, George clarified that the Board’s decision was firmly grounded in the Court of Appeal’s ruling, which confirmed Ude-Okoye as the authentic holder of the position. George emphasized that the facts surrounding the issue were compelling and clear, asserting his full endorsement of the decision.
“What more can the elders do? The report was unambiguous—there was no counter Court of Appeal ruling apart from the one that supports Ude-Okoye,” George said. He further added that if Anyanwu chooses to pursue the matter to the Supreme Court, the party would respect any future ruling from the higher court.
George also called on Anyanwu to step aside for the sake of peace, urging him to allow the party to focus on its role as the main opposition. Despite the internal disagreements, George believes the PDP remains more structured than the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
Reassuring party members, George expressed confidence that the PDP’s foundational strength was unshaken, even amidst the current turmoil. He stressed that he was not worried about the party’s survival, as he trusts its core structure remains intact.