The Board of Trustees (BoT) of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has formally recognized Sunday Ude-Okoye as the party’s substantive National Secretary, reaffirming its support for PDP governors amid ongoing leadership disputes.
Adolphus Wabara, the BoT Chairman and former Senate President, made the announcement during the 80th meeting of the Board in Abuja on Tuesday. The decision followed months of internal wrangling and legal battles over the position.
“The BoT, after reviewing all submissions and relevant court judgments, 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, upheld by the Court of Appeal,” Wabara stated.
The PDP has faced mounting tensions since the aftermath of the 2023 general elections, with frustrations directed at acting National Chairman Umar Damagum, whom party members blame for the party’s declining fortunes.
South-East Nomination and Court Battles
The leadership crisis intensified after the South-East PDP nominated Ude-Okoye to replace Senator Samuel Anyanwu, who contested the Imo State governorship election. Although the Court of Appeal upheld Ude-Okoye’s appointment in December 2024, Anyanwu’s loyalists opposed the ruling, leading to heightened tensions within the party.
The situation escalated further on January 28, when supporters of Anyanwu disrupted a BoT meeting, forcibly ejecting Ude-Okoye before security personnel intervened to restore order.
Governors and BoT Support Court Ruling
In response, PDP governors, led by Bauchi State Governor Bala Mohammed, endorsed the court’s decision and urged the National Working Committee (NWC) to implement it without delay.
Wabara emphasized that the BoT’s decision was based on a report by a committee chaired by Barr. Kabiru Turaki (SAN), which thoroughly reviewed the legal and constitutional aspects of the matter.
“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,” Wabara said.
He further charged the NWC to “recognize and immediately swear in Hon. Sunday Ude-Okoye as the National Secretary of the PDP, in obedience to the judgment of the Court of Appeal.”
Anyanwu’s Petition and Warning
Despite the BoT’s declaration, Anyanwu has petitioned the Inspector General of Police, the Supreme Court, and the Court of Appeal, maintaining that he remains the rightful National Secretary.
He criticized the governors’ endorsement of Ude-Okoye, warning that it could exacerbate the party’s internal crisis.
He has also rejected the Board of Trustees’ (BoT) directive for the National Working Committee (NWC) to swear in his opponent, Ude-Okoye.
He dismissed the directive, arguing that the matter is still in court and that the tenure of about 80% of the BoT members present at the Abuja meeting had already expired. He also noted that neither he nor the National Chairman, who is also a BoT member, was invited to the meeting.
Anyanwu emphasized, “As a BoT member, I was not invited, and neither was the National Chairman. That says a lot. Besides, most of those at the meeting have had their tenure expire since October last year. They also know this issue is in court. Even Chairman Wabara, who is a party to the case, sent a representative. Their directive is merely advisory and cannot be taken seriously.”
Path Forward: NEC Meeting Scheduled
The BoT commended the PDP Governors’ Forum and the NWC for scheduling a National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting for March 13, 2025.
“The NEC meeting will serve as a platform for critical deliberations that will shape not just the future of our party but also the political trajectory of Nigeria,” the BoT stated.
As the leadership crisis continues to unfold, the PDP’s ability to resolve internal disputes will be crucial in maintaining its political relevance and unity ahead of upcoming political engagements.