The Peoples Democratic Party’s National Working Committee is now more divided than ever as a result of the court battle for the position of National Secretary.
The NWC was once again in disarray due to the ongoing litigation over the party’s National Secretary position, according to a trustworthy source who asked to remain anonymous since they lacked the authority to comment on the subject.
The source, a senior member of the PDP NWC, informed Sunday PUNCH that the Acting National Chairman, Umar Damagum, National Organising Secretary, Umar Bature, and a few others received the Court of Appeal, Enugu Division ruling, which removed Samuel Anyanwu and declared former National Youth Leader, Sunday Okoye, as the substantive National Secretary, with mixed reactions.
The source claims that the majority of the NWC members adamantly demanded that the ruling be carried out, including the PDP Legal Adviser Kamaldeeen Ajibade, SAN, National Publicity Secretary Debo Ologunagba, Deputy National Secretary Setonji Koshoedo, National Treasurer Alhaji Ahmed Yayari, and National Financial Secretary Dr. Woyengikuro Daniel.
During and after the 2023 election, the PDP was enmeshed in a turmoil.
Many party members have attributed the current unrest to Damagum, an aide of former Rivers State Governor Nyesom Wike.
Every aspect and structure of the PDP has been significantly impacted by the crisis.
With regard fo the off-cycle elections, the INEC Chairman noted that preparations for the Anambra, Ekiti and Osun governorship elections, and Area Council elections in the Federal Capital Territory would require significant financial input.
He said the resumption of the CVR would take place at over 8,800 centers nationwide to ensure that Nigerians who have come of age can register to vote.
The Enugu High Court’s ruling, which had earlier affirmed Ude-Okoye’s nomination as Anyanwu’s successor, was reaffirmed by the Appeal Court on December 20.Debo Ologunagba, the PDP’s national publicity secretary, therefore emphasized that the party would abide with the court’s ruling.
According to the source, Damagum was making every effort to challenge the Enugu ruling and maybe postpone its execution. Damagum had Anyanwu’s support throughout the NWC’s factionalization.
“What I know is that the NWC is once again divided. Damagum, the NOS, and Anyanwu are on one side, attempting to appeal or possibly delay the implementation of the judgment until they can find a political solution, he said.
“On the other hand, some NWC members, such as the National Legal Adviser, Ologunagba, the Treasurer, and the PDP Financial Secretary, among others, want Anyanwu removed and Okoye supported as the PDP National Secretary.
“There is a palpable fear within the party at this moment. This has reignited the crisis in the party’s NWC. While Wike is backing Damagum and Anyanwu in their efforts to overturn the judgment, the opposing side has the support of Bauchi State Governor Bala Mohammed, Rivers State Governor Sim Fubara, and several other governors and party leaders.”
When contacted for comment, Okoye claimed that he was the party’s lawful national secretary in line with the Enugu Appeal Court’s decision.
The PDP remained a unified party, according to the former National Youth Leader, who maintained that Anyanwu’s sacking stood.
He said, “The Enugu judgment of 20th December 2024 affirmed me as the PDP National Secretary, and Sam Anyanwu is now a former National Secretary.
“The judgment is very explicit, and I have resumed my role as the PDP National Secretary. The judgment directed that I be sworn in within 24 hours, and I have not heard anyone from the party openly refusing this judgment. So, the judgment has perfected my position as the PDP substantive National Secretary.”
The former National Secretary stated that the case had been appealed when contacted. Anyanwu said, “The matter has been appealed on the same date.” Therefore, in my opinion, there is no problem with that.