PDP secretary crisis: Anyanwu defends legitimacy, appeals ruling

By Kunle Sanni

Samuel Anyanwu, the embattled National Secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), has declared himself the legitimate occupant of the position, despite a recent court ruling favoring his rival, Sunday Ude-Okoye.

Anyanwu made this assertion during an appearance on Nigeria Right Now, a current affairs program anchored by Dickson Iroegbu. The PDP is currently embroiled in a leadership tussle as both Anyanwu and Ude-Okoye claim to be the party’s National Secretary.

In December 2024, the Court of Appeal ruled in favor of Ude-Okoye, upholding his nomination by the PDP South-East Zonal Executive Committee to replace Anyanwu. This nomination followed Anyanwu’s emergence as the party’s gubernatorial candidate in the 2023 Imo State election.

The appellate court dismissed a previous High Court ruling that prevented Anyanwu’s removal, stating that it “lacked merit.” Following the verdict, Ude-Okoye began presenting himself as the National Secretary of the PDP.

During the interview, Anyanwu disclosed that he has appealed the appellate court’s decision to the Supreme Court and filed a stay of execution to maintain the status quo until a final decision is reached.

“As we speak today, I’m still the National Secretary of the PDP,” he asserted. “The reason is that on December 20, there was a judgment from the Court of Appeal in Enugu affirming the state high court’s judgment.

“However, prior to that, I had a federal high court judgment which confirmed my position. The federal high court ruled that as long as I was elected at the convention, my tenure is valid until December 9, 2025.”

Anyanwu also outlined the timeline of legal proceedings, emphasizing that his appeal and request for a stay of execution ensure that the appellate court’s ruling is not yet enforceable.

“On the same December 20, we appealed the matter and filed for a stay of execution. This is normal because the appeal court is not the highest court. What does this mean? It means the status quo should remain,” he explained.

Anyanwu dismissed any claims of factionalism within the PDP, reaffirming the party’s unity under Acting National Chairman Umar Damagum.

“There is no faction in the PDP. The PDP is united under the leadership of our Acting National Chairman, Umar Damagum,” he said.