PDP Crisis Deepens as Court Declares Ude Okoye National Secretary

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) is entangled in a growing leadership crisis following the Court of Appeal’s affirmation of Ude Okoye as the party’s substantive National Secretary.

This ruling has triggered a confrontation with Samuel Anyanwu, the current occupant of the office, who has refused to vacate the position, further unsettling the party’s internal dynamics.

Last week, the Court of Appeal in Enugu upheld a High Court ruling that invalidated Anyanwu’s claim to the role. The court ruled that Anyanwu’s continued occupation of the position after becoming the PDP’s gubernatorial candidate in Imo State during the 2023 elections violated the party’s constitution. Justice Ridwan Abdullahi, in delivering the lead judgment, dismissed Anyanwu’s appeal as meritless and ordered the enforcement of the judgment within 24 hours.

Despite this ruling, Anyanwu has refused to relinquish the office, vowing to challenge the decision at the Supreme Court. He insists that he remains entitled to the role until a higher court delivers its verdict. Legal experts, however, caution that Anyanwu’s actions contravene the Appeal Court’s directive, rendering any decisions he makes as National Secretary legally invalid.

In contrast, Ude Okoye, emboldened by the ruling, has declared himself the rightful National Secretary of the PDP. He has warned of severe repercussions if Anyanwu continues to act in the capacity of the office. Speaking in Abuja, Ude expressed concern over the potential consequences of the ongoing impasse on the party’s forthcoming national convention, where a new National Chairman is expected to be elected.

Ude cautioned that if Anyanwu remains in office and oversees the convention, any decisions made, including the selection of key candidates, could face legal nullification if challenged in court. “This issue is bigger than me; it is about the survival of the PDP. We must abide by the Court of Appeal’s judgment,” he emphasized.

The dispute has cast a shadow over the PDP’s preparations for its national convention. Party insiders are concerned that the unresolved conflict over the National Secretary position could undermine the legitimacy of the convention’s outcomes and expose the party to further legal battles.

While the PDP’s National Working Committee (NWC) has previously assured its ability to resolve internal disputes, it has yet to make an official statement on the crisis. Sources within the party suggest that the NWC is deliberating strategies to prevent the escalating conflict from disrupting the convention.

The Appeal Court’s decision has also exposed deeper divisions within the PDP, raising concerns about the party’s unity and its readiness for future elections. Ude has urged party members to prioritize the rule of law and collective interests over individual ambitions, warning that prolonged disputes could harm the PDP’s credibility and electoral prospects.

As the Supreme Court appeal looms, the party finds itself at a critical crossroads. Anyanwu’s defiance, coupled with Ude’s insistence on enforcing the Appeal Court’s ruling, has left the PDP in a precarious position. Party members acknowledge that how the leadership navigates this internal crisis will significantly impact the PDP’s ability to remain a formidable opposition force in Nigeria’s political landscape.