The legal dispute involving the office of the National Secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party has deepened the division within the party’s National Working Committee.
A reliable source, who requested anonymity due to lack of authorisation to speak on the matter, revealed that the NWC was once again in turmoil because of the ongoing litigation over the party’s National Secretary position.
The source, a senior member of the PDP NWC, informed Sunday PUNCH that the Acting National Chairman, Umar Damagum, National Organising Secretary, Umar Bature, and a few others received the Court of Appeal, Enugu Division ruling, which removed Samuel Anyanwu and declared former National Youth Leader, Sunday Okoye, as the substantive National Secretary, with mixed reactions.
According to the source, the majority of the NWC members, including the PDP Legal Adviser Kamaldeeen Ajibade, SAN, National Publicity Secretary, Debo Ologunagba, Deputy National Secretary Setonji Koshoedo, National Treasurer, Alhaji Ahmed Yayari, and National Financial Secretary Dr Woyengikuro Daniel, among others, firmly insisted that the judgment be enforced.
The PDP has been embroiled in crisis both during and after the 2023 election.
Many party members have blamed former Rivers State governor Nyesom Wike’s ally, Damagum for the ongoing turmoil.
The crisis has deeply affected all parts and structures of the PDP.
Regarding the National Secretary position, the PDP South East zone had in 2023, nominated the former National Youth Leader to replace Anyanwu after he was chosen as the party’s candidate for the Imo State governorship election.
The South East PDP argued that Anyanwu ceased to be National Secretary once he became the party’s candidate in the Imo poll.
However, the nomination of Ude-Okoye as National Secretary sparked legal battles, resulting in two conflicting court rulings.
In a new development, on December 20, the Appeal Court upheld the Enugu High Court decision, which had previously confirmed Ude-Okoye’s nomination as Anyanwu’s successor.
Consequently, PDP National Publicity Secretary, Debo Ologunagba insisted that the party would obey the court judgment.
The source disclosed that Damagum, who had the backing of Anyanwu during the NWC’s factionalisation, was doing everything possible to appeal the Enugu judgment and potentially delay its implementation.
He said, “What I know is that the NWC is once again divided. Damagum, the NOS, and Anyanwu are on one side, attempting to appeal or possibly delay the implementation of the judgment until they can find a political solution.
“On the other hand, some NWC members, such as the National Legal Adviser, Ologunagba, the Treasurer, and the PDP Financial Secretary, among others, want Anyanwu removed and Okoye supported as the PDP National Secretary.
“There is a palpable fear within the party at this moment. This has reignited the crisis in the party’s NWC. While Wike is backing Damagum and Anyanwu in their efforts to overturn the judgment, the opposing side has the support of Bauchi State Governor Bala Mohammed, Rivers State Governor Sim Fubara, and several other governors and party leaders.”
When reached for comment, Okoye stated that in accordance with the Enugu Appeal Court ruling, he was the legitimate National Secretary of the party.
The former National Youth Leader, who insisted that Anyanwu’s dismissal stood, confirmed that the PDP remained a united party.
He stated, “The Enugu judgment of 20th December 2024 affirmed me as the PDP National Secretary, and Sam Anyanwu is now a former National Secretary.
“The judgment is very explicit, and I have resumed my role as the PDP National Secretary. The judgment directed that I be sworn in within 24 hours, and I have not heard anyone from the party openly refusing this judgment. So, the judgment has perfected my position as the PDP substantive National Secretary.”
When contacted, the ousted National Secretary said the matter had been appealed.
Anyanwu, in an exclusive interview with our correspondent, stated, “The matter has been appealed on the same date. So, as I am concerned there is no issue about that.”