Security operatives have taken control of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) National Secretariat in Abuja following a heated altercation between factions loyal to Samuel Anyanwu and Sunday Ude-Okoye over the party’s National Secretary position.
The confrontation erupted during the Board of Trustees (BoT) meeting when both men arrived to assert their claims to the office.
Tensions escalated after an aide to Anyanwu forcibly removed Ude-Okoye from the meeting, triggering a physical and verbal exchange between their supporters.
The situation prompted the intervention of security personnel, including soldiers, police officers, and operatives of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, who were deployed to restore order and secure the party headquarters.
The National Secretary position has been a source of internal dispute since Anyanwu vacated the role to contest the Imo State governorship election, which he lost.
In his absence, the PDP South East Caucus endorsed Ude-Okoye as his replacement.
However, Anyanwu’s subsequent attempt to reclaim the seat has deepened the crisis within the party.
On December 20, 2024, the Court of Appeal in Enugu upheld an earlier High Court ruling removing Anyanwu as PDP National Secretary and affirming Ude-Okoye’s legitimacy.
Despite the ruling, Anyanwu has filed an appeal and a stay of execution, with Dr. Musa (SAN) appointed as the party’s legal representative by acting National Chairman, Umar Damagum, further intensifying the conflict.
