The internal crisis within the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has intensified as two rival claimants to the position of National Secretary, Senator Samuel Anyanwu and Hon. Sunday Udeh-Okoye, have reignited their battle over who rightfully holds the position.
The latest controversy erupted after Udeh-Okoye issued a notice postponing the party’s National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting, originally scheduled for March 15, to May 15, 2025.
In response, Senator Anyanwu, in a counter letter addressed to NEC members and other key party stakeholders, dismissed Udeh-Okoye’s announcement. He insisted that Udeh-Okoye is neither the PDP National Secretary nor a member of the National Working Committee (NWC), and therefore, has no authority to issue such a notice.
Anyanwu pointed out that the disputed announcement, which was signed by Udeh-Okoye with the designation of PDP National Secretary, had been circulated through the party’s official Publicity Directorate.
In his memo, Anyanwu urged PDP NEC members, members of the PDP Board of Trustees (BoT), PDP governors, and other party leaders to disregard Udeh-Okoye’s statement. The memo, titled “Re: Notice of 99th National Executive Committee Meeting,” read in part:
“My attention has been drawn to a misleading letter on the above subject matter signed by Rt. Hon. S. K. E. Udeh-Okoye in the designation of PDP National Secretary.
“Our party leaders, NEC members, BoT, Governors’ Forum, and the general public are hereby advised to disregard the purported letter as it emanates from a non-official and unauthorized source. Udeh-Okoye is not the National Secretary of our dear party and was never in any NWC meeting where he was mandated to issue such a notice.”
Anyanwu also accused Udeh-Okoye of violating a court order that restrains him from presenting himself as the PDP National Secretary pending the outcome of an appeal at the Supreme Court.
“The issuance of an official PDP letter in the title of National Secretary amounts to total disobedience to the rule of law and is contemptuous of the judiciary,” Anyanwu stated.
He further alleged that Udeh-Okoye’s actions were intended to destabilize the party, urging him to cease actions that could harm the unity and credibility of the PDP.
“Nothing coming from Udeh-Okoye is recognized by law. He is only bringing the party into public ridicule,” Anyanwu added.
The Senator reaffirmed that he is the only validly elected PDP National Secretary, having been elected at a national convention and duly recognized by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and the law.
Anyanwu assured party members that a new date for the NEC meeting would be communicated properly through the correct party channels.
