… Youth group rejects Ude- Okoye as party scribe
Senator Samuel Anyanwu, one of the contenders for the position of National Secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), has dismissed the directive from the Board of Trustees (BoT) for the National Working Committee (NWC) to swear in his rival, Sunday Ude-Okoye.
Anyanwu criticized the directive, citing the ongoing court case and the expiration of the tenures of about 80% of the BoT members who attended the meeting at Transcorp Hilton Hotel in Abuja. He also pointed out that he was not invited to the meeting, nor was the National Chairman, who is also a member of the BoT.
Anyanwu stated, “I’m a member of the BoT, I was not invited to the meeting, and neither was the National Chairman. This shows a lot. In any case, the tenure of about 80% of those at the meeting expired in October last year. They are also aware that this matter is in court. Even Chairman Wabara, who was taken to court, sent a representative. Their advice is just that — advice, and it cannot be taken seriously.”
The BoT had previously directed the NWC to swear in Sunday Ude-Okoye as the substantive National Secretary, in line with the judgment of the Enugu High Court, which was upheld by the Court of Appeal. This decision was made following an emergency meeting held at the Transcorp Hilton Hotel.
BoT Chairman, Senator Adolphus Wabara, who read the communiqué, emphasized that the board had thoroughly considered the matter and adopted the recommendations of the Saminu Turaki-led committee. Wabara noted that the committee had examined the court judgments on the dispute between Senator Anyanwu and Hon. Ude-Okoye over the National Secretary position.
The BoT, in its resolution, affirmed its position as a key organ of the PDP and highlighted its constitutional authority to ensure the highest standards of morality within the party. The board recognized Hon. Sunday Ude-Okoye as the substantive National Secretary and charged the NWC to immediately swear him in.
The BoT also called on all party organs, stakeholders, and members to adhere to the judgment of the Court of Appeal regarding the position of National Secretary. They commended the efforts of the PDP Governors’ Forum, NWC, and South East Executive Committee in upholding the party’s constitutional provisions.
In his opening remarks, Wabara stated that the PDP remains the party of choice for Nigerians, stressing the importance of unity and concerted efforts to address the challenges facing the party. He also mentioned the upcoming National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting, scheduled for March 13, 2025, as a crucial platform for shaping the future of the party and the country.
Wabara noted that the NEC meeting would be held outside the party’s National Secretariat due to security concerns. He urged the party leadership to address these security issues promptly to ensure a safe and secure environment for future meetings.
Despite the challenges, Wabara reaffirmed the PDP’s commitment to democratic governance and national unity, positioning the party as the leading force for progress and prosperity in Nigeria.
It is also worth noting that Senator Anyanwu, who was the PDP candidate in the 2023 governorship election, had previously held onto his position as National Secretary. However, PDP stakeholders in the South East, in a meeting in Enugu, resolved to nominate Ude-Okoye as his replacement, arguing that the position belonged to the zone. The meeting was attended by prominent party figures, including BoT Chairman Senator Wabara, BoT Secretary Senator Ahmed Makarfi, and former governors.
PDP crisis: Youth group faults BoT on party scribe
Meanwhile, Supporters of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), under the aegis of the PDP Coalition Youth for Good Governance, have cautioned the party’s Board of Trustees against conduct and utterances capable of exacerbating the leadership crisis in the party.
They specifically expressed concerns over the board’s decision to order the National Working Committee (NWC) to swear on Sunday Ude-Okoye as substantive National Secretary.
The PDP BoT had in a communique after an emergency meeting in Abuja on Wednesday adopted the report of the Saminu Turaki SAN-led Committee which looked into the court judgment with respect to the dispute over the position of National Secretary.
BoT Chairman, Senator Adolphus Wabara had declared that the board acted on the declarative judgment of an Enugu High Court as well as a Court of Appeal both of which recognized Ude-Okoye.
Reacting to the development, the PDP Coalition Youth for Good Governance, argued that the BoT ought to have waited for the court process to be fully exploited before taking such a position.
Convener of the PDP Youth Coalition, Emmanuel Mba, at a press briefing in Abuja said, “The Youth Coalition noted with regret how the problem has festered and causing unprecedented ripples within the party. It is unfortunate that the leadership of the Party has allowed this problem attain disturbing heights already threatening the unity of the Party.
“Looking into the matter and the possible ways of ending the crisis the Youth Coalition resolved as follows;
“That the Board of Trustees should not take a position that would undermine a peaceful resolution of the conflict by respecting the Court of Appeal order which granted a stay of execution of the Enugu court of Appeal judgement.
“Be warned of a possible contempt of court by recognizing Udeh-Okoye as the National Secretary of the Party.
“Be cautious in making pronouncements that will result in breach of public peace and safety.
“Allow the court processes to continue so as to resolve the contlict through a constitutional means without interferences and prejudice.
“Respect for the rule of law and decision of court of competent jurisdiction. PDP needs peace at this time to be able function effectively as a credible opposition party that can offer Nigerians good governance.
“The tenure of most of the BoT members have expired please see Section 32/4 of the party Constitution.
“The opinion of the BoT is merely advisory and any action or inaction of the BoT amounts to nullity.
“The youths are tired of this middlesome interloper in BoT. If they do not resolve this matter soon, we will be forced to take over the party
