Security operatives have taken control of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) National Secretariat, following a heated confrontation between the party’s Board of Trustees (BoT) members, Samuel Anyanwu and Sunday Ude-Okoye over the rightful occupant of the party’s National Secretary position.
The deployment included personnel from the Nigerian Army, the Police Force, and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), who intervened to restore order.
Tensions escalated when Anyanwu and Ude-Okoye arrived for a BoT meeting. The situation took a dramatic turn when an aide to Anyanwu forcibly removed Ude-Okoye from the closed-door session, sparking a heated exchange between their supporters. Security forces stepped-in to prevent further escalation.
The dispute over the National Secretary position dates back to Anyanwu’s candidacy in the Imo State governorship election, which he lost. During his absence, the PDP’s South-East Caucus endorsed Ude-Okoye as his replacement. However, following his electoral defeat, Anyanwu’s attempt to reclaim the position has deepened the party’s internal crisis.
Recall that an Court of Appeal, sitting in Enugu, had on December 20, 2024, upheld an earlier High Court ruling that removed Anyanwu from the position and recognised Ude-Okoye as the legitimate PDP National Secretary. Despite this, Anyanwu has filed for a Stay of Execution and Appeal.
The legal battle took another twist, with the nomination of Dr. Musa (SAN) as the party’s legal counsel by PDP acting National Chairman, Umar Damagum, further intensifying the internal rift.
As tensions persist over the party’s leadership tussle, security forces remain stationed at the secretariat, in order to ensure stability amid the escalating tensions.
