PDP Leadership Crisis: Udeh-Okoye Declares Self National Secretary

Kehinde Fajobi

The internal crisis within the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) deepened on Monday as Sunday Udeh-Okoye declared himself the party’s National Secretary, citing a recent Court of Appeal ruling in his favour.

Udeh-Okoye, a former PDP National Youth Leader, arrived at the party’s national headquarters in Abuja to assert his position, even though Senator Sam Anyanwu’s personal belongings remain in the office.

Addressing reporters, Udeh-Okoye explained that his actions were in line with the appellate court’s judgment, which recognised him as the rightful replacement for Anyanwu.

He noted that the PDP’s National Legal Adviser, Alhaji Kamaldeen Ajibade, and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) had acknowledged the court’s decision.

“The main reason why I am here is to resume office. I am resuming today, the 30th of December, in obedience to the Appeal Court in Enugu that sacked the former National Secretary and made me the National Secretary of PDP,” Udeh-Okoye said.

He added, “I came today to resume office and to also supervise the whole environment and make sure that things are in order.

“Yes, the staff have gone for the Christmas holiday to resume on the 13th of January, when this place will be filled with our workers.”

Udeh-Okoye expressed gratitude to the PDP Governors’ Forum, the Former Ministers’ Forum, the party’s Board of Trustees, and leaders from the South East for their support, stating, “Even though there were many challenges before, the court has fixed it and made a pronouncement on December 20.”

He revealed plans to join an unscheduled meeting with other members of the PDP National Working Committee later that day.

Meanwhile, Senator Anyanwu has remained silent on the matter. However, his supporters dismissed Udeh-Okoye’s claims as baseless, describing them as a “pipe dream.”

Last Friday, PDP National Publicity Secretary Debo Ologunagba confirmed that the party had received the court’s judgment and would comply with the ruling.

This development follows a previous failed attempt by some party leaders to suspend the acting National Chairman, Ambassador Umar Ikyas Damagum, and Senator Anyanwu.