January 29, 2025
Chaos erupted at the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) national headquarters in Abuja on Wednesday following an invasion by suspected thugs during a Board of Trustees (BoT) meeting.
The meeting, chaired by Acting National Chairman Amb. Umar Damagum, had in attendance several key figures, including National Secretary Sen. Samuel Anyanwu, BoT Chairman Sen. Adolphus Wabara, Sen. Ahmed Makarfi, Sen. Ben Obi, former Niger State Governor Babangida Aliyu, Chief Olagunsoye Oyinlola, and ex-Youth Leader Sunday Ude-Okoye.
Tensions escalated when a dispute arose between Samuel Anyanwu and Sunday Ude-Okoye over the position of National Secretary. Ude-Okoye, who arrived at the meeting venue before Anyanwu and Damagum, was reportedly forced out after Anyanwu’s arrival.
The controversy stems from a longstanding leadership tussle in the PDP’s South East zone. In 2023, the zone nominated Ude-Okoye to replace Anyanwu as National Secretary after Anyanwu emerged as the party’s candidate for the Imo State governorship election. However, the dispute has persisted, leading to legal battles and internal wrangling.
On December 20, 2024, an Appeal Court sitting in Enugu upheld a High Court ruling that removed Anyanwu from the position and recognized Ude-Okoye as the legitimate officeholder. However, a separate Court of Appeal ruling in Abuja last week issued a restraining order, allowing Anyanwu to remain in office pending the Supreme Court’s final decision on the matter.
More details to follow.
