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By Myke Agunwa
The main opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has reaffirmed Senator Samuel Anyanwu as the authentic National Secretary of the party.
At a press conference at the party’s National Headquarters on Wednesday in Abuja, the Acting National Chairman of the party, Amb. Umar Damagum said that the party took the ‘bitter’ decision following the questioning of its letter by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
The chairman said that Anyanwu needed to sign correspondences going to INEC for the National Executive Committee (NEC) and other correspondences. He said that the June 30th scheduled NEC meeting will be converted to an expanded caucus where they will trash out all the issues affecting the party.
He said, “INEC is our regulator, and they have told us their position as it is, as it affects the issue surrounding the National Secretary. We are all aware that the National Secretary is a signatory of this party. It is a critical position that he holds. As such, we have decided to abide by the advice they gave us, especially as we have a very, very important election before us, that is the FCT election and we are running out of time. So we have no option but to abide by the decision.
“After due consultation and everything, we thought it’s a bitter pill and we have to swallow it. I want to use this opportunity to call on all our party faithful to know that it was a difficult decision. But the survival of the party is more than all of us, more than everything that you feel that you know and yearn for.
“So I want to use this opportunity to tell you that we will do the right thing, and it is the decision of most members of this party led by the organs of the party. The leaders of the organs of the party will have an expanded caucus, so that we will discuss extensively the way forward to NEC. That would be on the 30th, we will issue the notice there is not going to be NEC, but an expanded caucus.
“As it is, like they told us, they don’t have any notice of NEC meeting from us because I was the only person that signed and we have not followed the guidelines. So that caucus will take a decision for NEC as well as all critical issues brought before us and leading to our national convention.
“Anyanwu will resume as the National Secretary. I think that’s the most important thing” he said.
The controversy surrounding the office of the National Secretary of the party stems from a leadership tussle involving Senator Samuel Anyanwu and the South-East caucus of the party. Anyanwu, elected National Secretary in 2021, became the PDP’s candidate in the 2023 Imo State governorship election but did not vacate his office, adding that it was at his discretion. This dual role sparked outrage within the party, with many arguing it contravenes internal power balance and the party’s constitution.
In response, the South-East zonal leadership of the PDP nominated Hon. Sunday Udeh-Okoye from Enugu State as Anyanwu’s replacement, citing the need to fill the vacancy and ensure effective representation. The move, however, triggered a legal and political standoff. While the South-East insists on its right to nominate a new secretary, Anyanwu maintains he never resigned and still holds the office legitimately. The National Working Committee (NWC) has struggled to take a firm stance, leading to confusion, conflicting directives, and mounting tensions.
Present at the meeting were Governor of Bauchi State and Chairman of PDP governor’s forum Bala Mohammed, Senate Minority Leader Sen. Abba Morro, House Minority Leader Kingsley Chinda, former Senate President Bukola Saraki, Secretary of PDP Board of Trustees Sen. Ahmed Makarfi, and members of the National Working Committee.