Tensions Escalate Over PDP National Secretary Position
Disputed NEC Meeting Date Sparks Controversy
The leadership dispute within the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has intensified, with conflicting notices regarding the 99th National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting. The contention involves two claimants to the office of National Secretary—Senator Samuel Anyanwu and Sunday Udeh-Okoye—who have issued contradictory statements about the meeting’s date.
Udeh-Okoye, in an unsigned memo bearing the PDP National Secretary designation, announced that the NEC meeting had been rescheduled from March 15 to May 15, 2025. However, Anyanwu swiftly dismissed the notice, labeling Udeh-Okoye an “agent of destruction” and insisting that he lacks the authority to issue such a directive.
Anyanwu’s Response and Legal Position
Reacting to Udeh-Okoye’s announcement, Anyanwu issued a one-page memorandum to PDP governors, NEC members, and the Board of Trustees (BoT), urging them to disregard the purported change in date. He argued that Udeh-Okoye is neither the legitimate National Secretary of the PDP nor authorized by the National Working Committee (NWC) to make such pronouncements.
Anyanwu’s memo, titled “Re: Notice of 99th NEC Meeting,” categorically stated that:
Udeh-Okoye has no legal standing as National Secretary and was never part of any official NWC meeting where such a decision was made.
A court of competent jurisdiction has issued a restraining order barring Udeh-Okoye from parading himself as PDP National Secretary pending the outcome of an appeal before the Supreme Court.
Udeh-Okoye’s actions, according to Anyanwu, undermine the integrity of the judiciary and bring public ridicule to the PDP.
Legal and Political Implications
The dispute over the National Secretary position has far-reaching implications for the PDP’s internal stability. Anyanwu’s reference to a court restraining order suggests that legal proceedings are ongoing, adding another layer of complexity to the party’s leadership crisis. If Udeh-Okoye continues to act in defiance of the court’s directive, it could lead to further legal consequences and deepen the party’s divisions.
PDP’s Zonal Congresses Scheduled for April 12
In a related development, the PDP National Publicity Secretary, Debo Ologunagba, announced that the previously postponed zonal congresses in the South-South, South-West, and North-Central regions will now take place on April 12, 2025. These congresses will be held in the following locations:
Port Harcourt, Rivers State (South-South)
Ibadan, Oyo State (South-West)
Jos, Plateau State (North-Central)
The congresses aim to elect executive officers and national ex-officio members for each zone, in accordance with the party’s constitution and guidelines.
Call for Unity Amid Internal Strife
Despite the leadership turmoil, the Conference of Professionals in the PDP (CP-PDP) has urged party members to focus on unity and stability. The group praised the appointment of the South-South Zonal Caretaker Committee, led by Elder Emmanuel Ogidi, as a step in the right direction. CP-PDP’s National Coordinator, Obinna Nwachukwu, called on the committee to work closely with stakeholders to strengthen the party’s position in the region.
The PDP’s internal struggles, particularly over the National Secretary position, highlight the deep-seated power struggles within the party. The conflicting directives on the NEC meeting date not only create confusion but also threaten party cohesion. As the legal battle continues, the upcoming zonal congresses may serve as a litmus test for the PDP’s ability to resolve internal disputes and maintain unity ahead of future elections.
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Tensions Escalate Over PDP National Secretary Position