The battle for the position of National Secretary in the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has taken a dramatic turn, with the party’s Board of Trustees (BoT) stepping in to broker peace.
Amid court rulings, political maneuvering, and even physical confrontations, the crisis threatens to deepen the cracks within Nigeria’s main opposition party.
At the end of its meeting in Abuja on Wednesday, the BoT announced the formation of a special panel led by former Minister of Special Duties, Kabiru Turaki, to mediate between the two contenders for the office: Sunday Ude-Okoye and Samuel Anyanwu.
The dispute began when the Court of Appeal ruled in December 2024 that Ude-Okoye should replace Anyanwu as the PDP’s national secretary. Anyanwu had left the position to contest the 2023 Imo State governorship election but later fought to reclaim it.
Despite the ruling, Anyanwu has refused to vacate the seat, citing a fresh appeal and a request for a stay of execution at the Supreme Court.
The crisis escalated on Wednesday when a scuffle erupted at the PDP’s national secretariat in Abuja. Ude-Okoye, who arrived for the BoT meeting, was denied entry, leading to a heated confrontation.
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“Some people wanted to attack me, and I decided to move out in defense of myself. In defense of my life, I moved out,” Ude-Okoye told journalists after the incident.
Despite the resistance, he maintained his claim to the position. “I am the national secretary of the PDP. I assumed duty on the 30th of December 2024,” he asserted.
Addressing the lingering crisis, BoT Chairman Adolphus Wabara emphasized the need for party members to prioritize unity over personal or sectional interests.
“The BoT calls on members of the NWC, all organs, leaders, and critical stakeholders of our party across the board to rise above personal, group, or sectional interests and place the stability, unity, sustenance, and progress of our party and its ideals above all other considerations,” Wabara said.
He confirmed that the newly formed committee would examine the dispute and report back to the BoT for further action.
The PDP, still reeling from its defeat in the 2023 general elections, faces a crucial test of internal cohesion. While the battle for the national secretary position might seem like a bureaucratic tussle, it underscores deeper divisions within the party’s leadership. With the Supreme Court now involved and tensions running high, the coming weeks will be critical in determining whether the PDP can resolve its internal strife—or sink deeper into crisis.