PDP Crisis: BoT backs Governors, reaffirms Ude-Okoye
The Board of Trustees (BoT) of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has officially confirmed Sunday Ude-Okoye, the former National Youth Leader, as the party’s substantive National Secretary, offering its support to PDP governors amid the ongoing leadership crisis within the party.
The announcement was made by BoT Chairman and former Senate President, Adolphus Wabara, at the 80th meeting of the Board in Abuja on Tuesday. This decision follows months of internal conflict over the position.
“The BoT, after reviewing all relevant submissions and court rulings, recognizes Hon. Sunday Ude-Okoye as the substantive National Secretary of the PDP, in full compliance with the declaratory judgment of the Enugu High Court, which was upheld by the Court of Appeal,” Wabara said.
The PDP has been grappling with a leadership crisis, which has worsened after the 2023 general elections. Criticism has particularly been directed at the acting National Chairman, Umar Damagum, with many blaming him for the party’s declining performance since he succeeded Iyorchia Ayu.
The controversy surrounding the National Secretary position intensified after the South-East PDP nominated Ude-Okoye to replace Senator Samuel Anyanwu, who ran for the Imo State governorship election. Despite the Court of Appeal’s ruling in December 2024, affirming Ude-Okoye’s appointment, Anyanwu’s supporters opposed the decision, causing tensions within the party.
Matters came to a head on January 28 when Anyanwu’s loyalists disrupted a BoT meeting and forcibly removed Ude-Okoye, only for security personnel to restore order.
In response, PDP governors, led by Bauchi State Governor Bala Mohammed, expressed their support for the court’s ruling and called for its immediate implementation by the National Working Committee (NWC).
Wabara noted that the BoT’s decision was based on a thorough review of the legal and constitutional aspects of the matter by a committee chaired by Barr. Kabiru Turaki (SAN).
READ ALSO: Anyanwu heads to Supreme Court as dispute over PDP’s National Sec seat deepens
Wabara added, “The BoT asserts its role as the conscience of the party under Sections 13 (1)(r) and 32 (5)(a) of the PDP Constitution (as amended in 2017), ensuring the highest standards of morality within the party.”
He further urged the NWC to recognize Ude-Okoye as the National Secretary and swear him in as soon as possible, in compliance with the Court of Appeal’s ruling.
Meanwhile, Anyanwu has appealed to the Inspector General of Police, the Supreme Court, and the Appeal Court, claiming he is the rightful National Secretary. He has criticized the endorsement of Ude-Okoye by the governors, warning that it could further escalate the party’s crisis.
The BoT also commended the PDP Governors’ Forum and the NWC for scheduling the National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting for March 13, 2025, calling it a critical event for the future of the party.
“The NEC meeting will serve as a platform for crucial deliberations that will shape not only the future of our party but also the political direction of Nigeria,” the BoT stated.
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