The ongoing crisis within the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) deepened on Wednesday as two prominent party members, Samuel Anyanwu and Sunday Ude-Okoye, clashed over the contentious position of National Secretary. The dispute unfolded during the PDP Board of Trustees (BoT) meeting at the party’s national headquarters in Abuja, further intensifying the party’s internal strife.
Ude-Okoye, who arrived at the meeting venue before Anyanwu and acting National Chairman, Ambassador Iliya Damagum, found himself embroiled in a confrontation when Anyanwu arrived and sought to reclaim his position. Ude-Okoye was reportedly forced out of the meeting by suspected thugs, prompting a heated altercation. The situation escalated with Ude-Okoye shouting for his supporters to intervene and prevent his ejection, highlighting the tense atmosphere within the party.
The National Secretary position has been a source of controversy ever since Anyanwu vacated the role to contest the Imo governorship election, which he lost. In his absence, the South-East Caucus of the PDP endorsed Ude-Okoye to assume the position. However, upon his return to the party’s national secretariat after the election defeat, Anyanwu sought to reclaim the role, triggering a new wave of conflict.
Legal battles surrounding the position have added fuel to the fire. An Appeal Court in Enugu ruled on December 20, 2024, affirming an earlier High Court decision that removed Anyanwu from his role as National Secretary, thereby recognizing Ude-Okoye as the legitimate officeholder. Anyanwu has, however, accused the party’s former South-East Zonal Vice Chairman, Ali Odefa, of orchestrating efforts to oust him.
As the PDP continues to grapple with internal divisions, this latest clash underscores the deepening crisis within the opposition party, with no resolution in sight.