Group backs Anyanwu as PDP National Secretary
The crisis within the main opposition party, the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) has taken a new turn with a group of Civil Society Organisation under the auspices of Concerned People’s Democratic League (CPDPL) throwing their weight behind Senator
Samuel Anyanwu as the substantive National Secretary of the party.
Anyanwu is locked in a battle with the former Udeh Okoye on who is the national Secretary of the party.
The PDP Governor and the National Working Committee of the party has thrown their weight behind Useh Okoye, but Anyanwu is insisting that he remain the National Secretary of the party.
But at a news conference on Friday, the Concerned People’s Democratic League (CPDPL) reaffirmed its support for Senator, insisting that he remains the legitimate occupant of the office.
Leader of the group Daboikiabo Z. Warmate accused some high-ranking members of the party of spreading misinformation and engaging in acts of sabotage aimed at unlawfully removing Anyanwu.
He said Hon. Ikenga Ugochinyere, National Publicity Secretary Debo Olunulagba, National Legal Adviser Kamaladin Ajibade (SAN), and suspended PDP Board of Trustees (BoT) Chairman, Senator Adolphus Wabara have deliberately violated the PDP constitution to advance their personal interests.
The leadership dispute in the PDP stems from the events surrounding Senator Samuel Anyanwu’s participation in the Imo State governorship election, emerging the PDP Governorship candidate.
He said that ahead of the election, Anyanwu applied for and was granted official leave from April 18 to May 24, 2023, to focus on his campaign, adding that certain forces within the PDP saw this as an opportunity to pressure Anyanwu into resigning permanently from his role as National Secretary.
He said despite the mounting pressure, Anyanwu refused to step down, arguing that his decision was backed by Section 47(5) of the PDP Constitution, which does not require a sitting national officer to resign when contesting an election unless he voluntarily choose to do so.
He stressed that sensing an orchestrated plot to remove him, Anyanwu’s supporters approached the Federal High Court in Abuja to seek an order preventing any attempt to oust him.
He said further that On January 9, 2024, Justice I. E. Ekwo issued an order restraining anyone from removing Anyanwu from office, adding that the court order remains valid and has neither been appealed nor overturned.
He said while the order subsist, an Enugu High Court presided over by Justice C. O. Ajah,
delivered a contradictory judgment in October 2023, declaring Anyanwu’s position vacant in a motion filed by Nwabueze Ugwu.
He maintained that the crisis escalated in December 2024 when two of the three man panel of the Court of Appeal in Enugu upheld the High Court’s decision, effectively recognizing Hon. Sunday Udeh Okoye as the new National Secretary of the PDP while imposing a ₦1 million fine on Anyanwu.
He said “Following the unfavorable ruling, Anyanwu took immediate steps to protect his position. On January 13, 2025, he secured a stay of execution from the Court of Appeal in Abuja, which effectively nullified the Enugu ruling and reinstated him as National Secretary pending a final judgment by the Supreme Court”.
Warmate accused some PDP leaders of the party of misrepresenting facts in order to push Anyanwu out, alleging that Hon. Ikenga Ugochinyere, acting on behalf of vested interests, deliberately misinterpreted the PDP Constitution to justify Anyanwu’s removal.
He also accused Senator Adolphus Wabara, the suspended PDP BoT Chairman, of tampering with the BoT list to include Sunday Udeh Okoye lead to an invasion of the PDP national secretariat by political thugs.
According to Warmate, the suspended BoT Chairman is executing a broader scheme designed to destabilize the PDP from within. He described Wabara as someone who had previously used court orders to his advantage but was now attempting to deny Anyanwu the same legal protections.
“The conscience of the PDP BoT under Sen. Adolphus Wabara is dead. Since he became chairman, he has failed to secure the necessary two-thirds support, rendering all their decisions invalid. Just like Debo, he is the worst BoT Chairman ever,” Warmate declared.
He warned PDP members against aligning with what he called an illegal takeover, urging party loyalists to recognize Anyanwu as the rightful National Secretary.
Despite the ongoing turbulence, Warmate commended the PDP National Chairman for his leadership and urged party members to remain committed to the ideals of the party. He insisted that attempts to destabilize the PDP would ultimately fail.
“No one can destroy or destabilize the PDP,” he declared. “Sen. Samuel Anyanwu remains the authentic PDP National Secretary in line with the party’s constitution and existing laws of the land.”
The CPDPL also called on PDP faithful to ignore what it described as false narratives being pushed by those seeking to undermine the party’s stability. The group emphasized the need for adherence to due process and respect for court rulings.
“The PDP must stand for justice, fairness, and the rule of law,” Warmate stated. “We urge all members to be guided by the party’s constitution and not be swayed by those who wish to impose their will through illegal means.”