Leadership tussle rocks PDP, as two National Secretaries resume today amid confusion

…Stakeholders brace for potential showdown if crisis persist

…Anyanwu, Ude-Okoye defy party leadership, threaten chaos

As the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) prepares to resume full operations today, the party is embroiled in a deepening leadership crisis, with two rival claimants to the position of National Secretary set to report for duty.

The ongoing standoff between Sunday Ude-Okoye, whose appointment was upheld by the Court of Appeal, and Senator Sam Anyanwu, who is challenging the ruling, has brewed growing anxiety and confusion within the party, threatening to destabilise its operations and deepen internal divisions.

Both Ude-Okoye and Anyanwu have made it clear that they intend to resume their duties at the PDP national secretariat, despite the legal impasse.

Recall that Ude-Okoye, confirmed by the Court of Appeal as the legitimate National Secretary, has signaled his readiness to take control of the office, with supporters already mobilising for his official assumption.

On the other hand, Anyanwu, whose appeal against the court ruling is still pending at the Supreme Court, has vowed to retain his claim to the post, insisting that he remains the rightful officeholder.  

“I’m still the National Secretary. The status quo remains because I’m on appeal,” Senator Anyanwu said in an interview.

He dismissed Ude-Okoye’s claim to the position, stating, “He’s educated enough to know that cannot be the case.”

Anyanwu has argued that the Court of Appeal overstepped its bounds by ruling on what he considers an internal party matter, stressing that PDP’s constitutional processes should have been exhausted before resorting to the judiciary.

The rift between the two factions has already ignited significant concerns within the party, with fears mounting that their simultaneous appearances at the secretariat could lead to a physical confrontation.

However, the fragile peace within the PDP continues to hang in the balance as the leadership struggle threatens to further divide the party.

PDP’s National Publicity Secretary, Debo Ologunagba, assured the public of the party’s commitment to respecting the rule of law, citing the party’s adherence to judicial rulings.

“We are a rule-of-law-compliant party. We believe in the finality of the judicial process,” Ologunagba stated.

The PDP’s National Publicity Secretary declined to comment on the implications of Senator Sam Anyanwu’s appeal to the Supreme Court, instead reaffirming the party’s commitment to upholding judicial rulings.

Ude-Okoye’s supporters are reportedly preparing for his formal assumption of office, while Anyanwu’s camp remains steadfast in maintaining his claim.

On the possible clash of both claimants at the national secretariat, the party spokesman said the idea was mere speculation.

However, he declined to comment on the implications of Anyanwu’s appeal to the Supreme Court, reiterating the party’s commitment to upholding judicial rulings.

The struggle for the National Secretary post is the latest in the series of crises besetting the main opposition party, raising more concerns about the unity and future prospects of the PDP, particularly as it prepares for upcoming elections.

The internal rift between factions supporting Ude-Okoye and Anyanwu threatens to further undermine the party’s ability to present a united front to the electorate.

Party stakeholders are concerned that the ongoing leadership dispute could lead to a fractured party, driving away members and creating divisions that opposing parties could capitalise on to gain an advantage.

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