Some loyalists of the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, have hit back at state governors elected on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party for affirming a former National Youth Leader, Sunday Ude-Okoye, as the National Secretary of the party.
They stressed that a factional party leader, Samuel Anyanwu, remained the only recognised executive for the position pending the national convention.
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Members of the PDP National Executive Committee, including the Deputy National Youth Leader, Timothy Osadolor, and a former Deputy National Publicity Secretary, Diran Odeyemi, warned the governors not to escalate the party’s crisis, stressing that opposing Wike’s camp might worsen the situation.
However, a senior member of the PDP National Working Committee, who asked not to be identified because he was not authorised to speak on the matter, stated that the governors acted in the best interest of the party.
Party crisis
The PDP has been grappling with internal turmoil before and after the 2023 general elections, leading to persistent instability within the party.
The issues have continued to plague the party and cause rifts among chieftains.
The acting National Chairman, Umar Damagum, in particular, has faced increasing criticism from party members who hold him responsible for the ongoing struggles within the PDP.
Damagum took over from Iyorchia Ayu, the former National Chairman, who was removed by the court due to his failure to implement crucial reforms within the party.
The leadership transition only added to the party’s existing troubles.
The crisis recently worsened due to disagreements on the position of the National Secretary.
National secretary struggle
In 2023, the party’s South-East zone nominated a former National Youth Leader Ude-Okoye to replace Anyanwu, who was selected as the party’s candidate for the Imo State governorship election.
The South-East faction argued that Anyanwu should step down from his role as the National Secretary given his new political responsibilities, which fuelled further controversy and division within the party.
On December 20, 2024, the Court of Appeal in Enugu ruled in favour of Ude-Okoye, confirming him as the new National Secretary, with the official communication sent to the party leadership on December 24.
However, on January 27, 2025, the Court of Appeal in Abuja issued a restraining order, instructing Anyanwu to remain in the position until the Supreme Court made a final ruling.
The situation escalated on Wednesday when party supporters loyal to Anyanwu physically removed Ude-Okoye from a meeting of the Board of Trustees.
On January 31, PDP governors distanced themselves from Anyanwu and confirmed Ude-Okoye as the party’s National Secretary during a meeting in Asaba, Delta State.
Reacting, Anyanwu insisted that with the stay of execution, he remained the National Secretary of the PDP.
