Senator Samuel Anyanwu has reaffirmed his position as the National Secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), dismissing claims of being replaced as “social media propaganda.”
This statement comes after Sunday Ude-Okoye reportedly resumed at the PDP National Secretariat on Monday, declaring himself the party’s new National Secretary. Ude-Okoye’s action is based on a recent Court of Appeal judgment that recognized him as the rightful occupant of the position.
The leadership tussle stems from a December 20 ruling by the Court of Appeal in Enugu, which upheld a 2023 decision by an Enugu High Court affirming Ude-Okoye’s nomination by the PDP South East chapter as a replacement for Anyanwu. The nomination came after Anyanwu was selected as the party’s candidate in the 2023 Imo State governorship election.
Arriving at Wadata Plaza, the PDP national headquarters in Abuja, Ude-Okoye claimed his authority over the office, despite Anyanwu still retaining physical control and having his personal belongings in place.
PDP leaders from the South East argue that Anyanwu automatically forfeited his position as National Secretary upon his emergence as the gubernatorial candidate. However, Anyanwu has contested this interpretation, maintaining his right to the role.
In a conversation with Daily Sun, Anyanwu revealed that he has appealed the Court of Appeal’s judgment and obtained a stay of execution. He emphasized that no one else within the PDP has the authority to submit documents to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) except him.
“I have filed a stay. All those things are just social media propaganda. Besides, I have a judgment that nobody in PDP can send anything to INEC except me,” Anyanwu stated confidently.
As the leadership dispute continues, both sides await further legal clarity to determine the rightful holder of the PDP National Secretary position.
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