Senator Samuel Anyanwu has resumed office as the National Secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), defying the endorsement of Sunday Ude-Okoye by the PDP Governors’ Forum.
Last Friday, the governors, led by Bauchi State Governor Bala Mohammed, affirmed Ude-Okoye’s appointment based on an Appeal Court ruling.
They also directed the party’s National Working Committee (NWC) to enforce the decision.
However, in a move that defied the governors’ stance, Anyanwu arrived at the PDP National Headquarters at Wadata Plaza on Monday afternoon, dressed in white, and went straight to his office to continue his official duties.
The PDP has been struggling with internal disputes, particularly following the 2023 general elections, leading to deep divisions within the party. Acting National Chairman Umar Damagum has faced criticism for failing to unite the party since taking over from former Chairman Iyorchia Ayu.
The conflict over the National Secretary position has further complicated matters. In 2023, the PDP’s South East leadership nominated Ude-Okoye, a former National Youth Leader, to replace Anyanwu after he emerged as the party’s governorship candidate in Imo State.
On December 20, 2024, the Court of Appeal in Enugu ruled in favor of Ude-Okoye, and the PDP leadership received official notification on December 24. However, on January 27, 2025, the Court of Appeal in Abuja issued a restraining order, allowing Anyanwu to retain his position until the Supreme Court delivers its final judgment.
Tensions escalated last Wednesday when Anyanwu’s supporters disrupted a Board of Trustees meeting and forced Ude-Okoye out, prompting security intervention.
In response, PDP governors, during a meeting in Asaba, Delta State, reaffirmed their backing of Ude-Okoye and urged the NWC to implement the Appeal Court ruling.
Anyanwu, in a petition to the Inspector General of Police, the Supreme Court, and the Appeal Court, insisted that he remains the rightful National Secretary.
He described the governors’ endorsement of Ude-Okoye as a provocation and called for intervention to prevent further escalation of the crisis.