The National Secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Senator Samuel Anyanwu, has alleged that certain party leaders are determined to remove him due to his stance on due process, rule of law, and his close ties with the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Chief Nyesom Wike.
Speaking to newsmen, Ayanwu claimed that some politicians from the South East view him as an obstacle to their ambitions, particularly in their bid to control the party structure.
“I was duly elected as National Secretary at our national convention, and the party’s constitution clearly outlines how a National Working Committee member can be replaced if necessary,” he said.
Anyanwu explained that he temporarily stepped aside to contest the Imo governorship election, allowing the Deputy National Secretary to act in his place.
However, he accused some individuals of forging party documents to insert a clause that falsely required him to resign. He stated that the police are currently investigating the matter.
He also defended his longstanding relationship with Wike, noting that they both served as local government chairmen and have remained allies within the PDP.
Anyanwu accused some PDP governors, in collaboration with a section of the Board of Trustees (BoT), of trying to weaken the party for their personal interests.
He described the push for Sunday Udeh-Okoye’s immediate swearing-in as National Secretary—following a Court of Appeal ruling—as a “proxy war.”
The PDP has been divided between supporters of Wike and former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, with tensions escalating since Atiku’s victory in the 2023 presidential primary.
The conflict deepened following a rift between Wike and Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara.
Anyanwu and the PDP’s acting national chairman, Umar Damagum, are seen as Wike allies and have faced increasing opposition from rival factions.
He urged those seeking his removal to wait until the expiration of his tenure in December 2025, when the position will be open for contest at the party’s national convention.
The PDP Governors’ Forum had previously endorsed Udeh-Okoye as National Secretary, citing an Enugu Court of Appeal judgment.
The BoT later backed this decision after reviewing a report by a committee chaired by Kabiru Tanimu Turaki (SAN), which recommended Udeh-Okoye’s immediate swearing-in based on the court ruling.
