Embattled National Secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Senator Samuel Anyanwu, has broken his silence on the intense pressure to remove him from office. He claims a faction within the party is determined to oust him due to his firm stance on due process, adherence to the rule of law, and long-standing camaraderie with Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Chief Nyesom Wike.
According to Anyanwu, certain PDP powerbrokers from the South-East perceive him as an obstacle to their ambitions, particularly in their bid to seize control of the party’s structure.
“I was duly nominated and elected as the National Secretary at a legitimate national convention. Our party’s constitution explicitly outlines how National Working Committee (NWC) members can be replaced if necessary,” he stated.
He explained that during his gubernatorial campaign, the Deputy National Secretary stepped in on his behalf, as provided by the party’s guidelines. However, he alleged that while he was on the campaign trail, some individuals “went to the extent of forging documents, illegally altering party guidelines to insert a clause that falsely mandated my resignation.”
“The police are investigating this. I won’t say much, but the facts will speak for themselves.”
Anyanwu also defended his relationship with Wike, describing their bond as unbreakable. “We served as local government chairmen together. We have both been PDP members for years. I cannot and will not deny my friendship with him,” he said.
A High-Stakes Power Struggle
Anyanwu accused some PDP governors of colluding with elements within the Board of Trustees (BoT) to weaken the party for personal gain. He argued that the push to install Sunday Udeh-Okoye as National Secretary—following a Court of Appeal judgment—was nothing more than a political proxy war.
The party remains deeply fractured, split between loyalists of Wike and those backing former Vice President Atiku Abubakar.
The Fallout from the 2023 Primaries
The infighting traces back to the PDP’s 2023 presidential primary, where Atiku triumphed over Wike. Feeling betrayed, Wike and his allies—including four then-serving governors—allegedly worked against Atiku’s campaign. Tensions have only escalated since then, fueled by the power struggle between Wike and his successor, Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara.
Anyanwu, along with the party’s acting National Chairman, Umar Damagum, has been labeled as sympathetic to Wike’s faction—drawing relentless attacks from opponents.
He, however, remains defiant. “For those eager to see me gone, they should exercise patience. My tenure expires in December 2025, and they are free to contest the position at the next national convention,” he stated.
PDP Governors and BoT Weigh In
The PDP Governors’ Forum, during its recent meeting in Asaba, Delta State, endorsed Udeh-Okoye as National Secretary, citing an Enugu Court of Appeal ruling affirming him as the rightful occupant of the seat.
The BoT quickly followed suit, endorsing the governors’ stance after reviewing the findings of a special committee chaired by Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Kabiru Tanimu Turaki. The committee’s report recommended Udeh-Okoye’s immediate swearing-in, citing the court’s verdict as justification.
Article updated 1 month ago. Content is written and modified by multiple authors.
