PDP Crisis Deepens as Udeh-Okoye, Party Leadership Seek to Join Anyanwu’s Legal Battle Against INEC, Damagum
The internal leadership crisis within the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) escalated further on Monday as the party and its recently recognized national secretary, Sunday Udeh-Okoye, sought to be joined in a lawsuit filed by Senator Samuel Anyanwu against the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and the party’s acting national chairman, Umar Damagum.
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Senator Anyanwu, who claims to be the embattled national secretary of the PDP, had, on February 19, initiated legal proceedings at the Federal High Court in Abuja, presided over by Justice Inyang Ekwo. The suit challenges an alleged plan to remove him from office. However, the court, in an earlier ruling, declined to grant his ex parte motion seeking immediate relief. Instead, Justice Ekwo ordered the defendants—INEC and Damagum—to be put on notice and scheduled Monday’s session for them to show cause as to why Anyanwu’s prayers should not be granted.
At Monday’s hearing, while INEC was represented by Ahmed Mohammed, no legal representative appeared on behalf of Damagum. However, two prominent legal figures, Paul Erokoro and Paul-Harris Ogbole, announced their representation for new parties seeking to join the litigation. Mr. Erokoro appeared on behalf of Udeh-Okoye, asserting that his client is the rightful and substantive national secretary of the PDP. Mr. Ogbole, on the other hand, represented the PDP itself, signaling that the party’s official stance on the matter may be shifting.
This latest development underscores the deepening factional struggle within the PDP, raising questions about the legitimacy of party appointments and the role of INEC in arbitrating internal party disputes. The absence of legal representation for Damagum further adds intrigue to the unfolding political drama, as it remains unclear whether his camp intends to contest the suit aggressively.
The case is being closely watched by political analysts, given its potential implications for the party’s leadership structure ahead of critical electoral cycles. With the court yet to make a definitive ruling on Anyanwu’s claim, the coming days will likely determine the fate of the embattled politician and the broader stability of the PDP.
The matter is expected to proceed in the Federal High Court, with further hearings set to clarify the legal standing of the involved parties.
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