CONFUSION IN PDP: ANYANWU ASSUMES OFFICE AT HQ, WHILE PARTY LEADERSHIP INSISTS ON UDE-OKOYE AS NATIONAL SECRETARY

CONFUSION IN PDP: ANYANWU ASSUMES OFFICE AT HQ, WHILE PARTY LEADERSHIP INSISTS ON UDE-OKOYE AS NATIONAL SECRETARY

Senator Samuel Anyanwu has assumed office at the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) national secretariat following the Supreme Court’s ruling affirming him as the party’s National Secretary.

On Friday, a five-member panel of the Supreme Court, led by Justice Uwani Abba-Aji, overturned the December 20, 2024, judgment of the Court of Appeal in Enugu, which had upheld the High Court’s decision removing Anyanwu and recognizing Sunday Udeh-Okoye as his replacement.

Taking over the office, Anyanwu expressed gratitude to God and his supporters across the country. He called for unity within the party, urging those who opposed him to come together, emphasizing that “the PDP is one family.” He also thanked the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, for his encouragement and support.

Despite the ruling, the PDP leadership has maintained that Udeh-Okoye remains the party’s National Secretary.

In a statement issued by PDP National Publicity Secretary Debo Ologunagba, the party insisted that its internal processes had already confirmed Udeh-Okoye as secretary, and the Supreme Court ruling only reinforced the principle that party leadership decisions are internal affairs.

According to the statement, the PDP’s decision was made through its statutory organs and in line with the party’s constitution, amended in 2017. It further stated that the Supreme Court ruling does not change the party’s position, reaffirming Udeh-Okoye as the rightful National Secretary.

The PDP also acknowledged receipt of the Supreme Court’s judgment and praised the ruling for upholding the party’s authority over its internal affairs, describing it as a victory for democracy.