Major Crisis Erupts As Powerful PDP Leaders Move To Sack Anyanwu After Losing To Uzodinma

The tension surrounding the appointment of a National Secretary for the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has reached a new peak.

Southeast leaders of the party have rejected Senator Samuel Anyanwu as secretary and have thrown their weight behind Sunday Ideh-Okoye for the position.

Governor Peter Mbah of Enugu State, leading the charge, emphasized the need for the National Working Committee (NWC) and other party organs to endorse Udeh-Okoye’s nomination in alignment with the zone’s resolution, the PDP Constitution, and a valid court order.

He asserted, “We have proudly flown the PDP banner in the Southeast. Therefore, when we come together, united on a matter crucial to us as PDP members in the Southeast, and a decision is made in accordance with our party’s constitution and electoral guidelines, it would be a grave error to disrespect that decision.”

Expressing his dismay, former Senate President Wabara lamented the Southeast’s treatment within the party, stating, “I believe we are here to decide whether we, the Southeast, will continue to be marginalized in this party. I am deeply saddened by how the Igbo are being mistreated. We are being relegated to second-class citizens. Hence, we will depart from here with a decisive resolution, and that resolution must be upheld. That is why we are here.”

According to a communique read by PDP National Vice Chairman (Southeast) Chief Ali Odefa, the nomination of Okoye is non-negotiable.

Odefa articulated, “The meeting reaffirmed its decisions from a prior meeting held on October 20, 2023, urging Senator Samuel Anyanwu to cease acting as the National Secretary of the Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP) as he has relinquished the position according to the PDP’s Constitution, upheld by a court of competent jurisdiction.”

He continued, “The meeting affirmed the nomination of S.K.E. Udeh-Okoye as his successor for the National Secretary role, to fulfill the remainder of his term, in compliance with the Party’s Constitution.”

Furthermore, the party called on the PDP NWC and other organs to acknowledge Hon. Udeh-Okoye as the legitimate National Secretary of the party.

Other prominent figures present at the meeting included former Governors Achike Udenwa, Sam Egwu, and Emeka Ihedioha; former PDP National Chairman Okwesilieze Nwodo; Senate Minority Whip Senator Osita Ngwu; and BOT members Mrs. Josephine Anenih, Senator Ben Obi, Ambassador Justina Eze, and Dame Rita Mbah.