In a bold move, Samuel Anyanwu, the embattled National Secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), has defied the party’s National Working Committee (NWC) directive, resuming his duties at the PDP National Secretariat on Thursday. This development comes despite the NWC’s affirmation of Sunday Ude-Okoye as the party’s National Secretary.¹
Anyanwu, in a video call with Lere Olayinka, spokesman of FCT Minister Nyesom Wike, confidently stated, “As you can see, I’m in my office. These are my people, and we are working.” He also showed Olayinka around his office, pointing out individuals “jumping over the fence” and how he used CCTV to monitor the situation.
The battle for the PDP National Secretary position began when Anyanwu left to contest the Imo State governorship election. Following his departure, the South-East caucus of the PDP endorsed Sunday Ude-Okoye as his replacement. Anyanwu lost the election and attempted to reclaim his position, but Ude-Okoye vehemently opposed this move.
The controversy has been ongoing, with an Appeal Court ruling in favor of Ude-Okoye as the PDP’s National Secretary on December 20, 2024. A fight broke out between Anyanwu’s supporters and Ude-Okoye at the PDP National Secretariat on January 28 during the party’s Board of Trustees meeting.
The PDP Governors Forum, the party’s NWC, and National Legal Adviser Kamaldeen Ajibade have all backed Ude-Okoye for the position. Despite this, Anyanwu has refused to relinquish his claim to the office, leading to a deepening crisis within the party.
