Security operatives, including soldiers, police officers, and personnel of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, have taken control of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) national secretariat following a leadership clash between Samuel Anyanwu and Sunday Ude-Okoye over the position of National Secretary.
The confrontation began when Anyanwu and Ude-Okoye arrived for a Board of Trustees (BoT) meeting. Tensions escalated after an aide to Anyanwu forcibly removed Ude-Okoye from a closed-door session, leading to an altercation between their supporters. Security personnel intervened to restore order.
The dispute over the National Secretary position arose after Anyanwu vacated the role to contest the Imo State governorship election, which he lost. In his absence, the South East caucus of the party endorsed Ude-Okoye as his replacement. Anyanwu’s attempt to reclaim the position after the election loss has since deepened the crisis.
On December 20, 2024, the Court of Appeal in Enugu upheld a High Court ruling that removed Anyanwu and affirmed Ude-Okoye as the legitimate PDP National Secretary. However, Anyanwu has filed for a stay of execution and an appeal. Meanwhile, PDP Acting National Chairman, Umar Damagum, has nominated Dr. Musa (SAN) as the party’s legal counsel to handle the matter.
