The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has maintained that Sunday Udeh-Okoye remains its National Secretary, despite a Supreme Court ruling reinstating Senator Samuel Anyanwu to the position. The party made this declaration on Friday through its National Publicity Secretary, Debo Ologunagba.
Supreme Court Ruling on Anyanwu
On Friday, the Supreme Court ruled that Senator Samuel Anyanwu should be reinstated as the PDP National Secretary, overturning previous decisions by the Federal High Court and the Court of Appeal. The apex court ruled that party leadership matters fall within the internal jurisdiction of political parties and are not subject to judicial interference.
The ruling effectively nullified Anyanwu’s removal, which occurred after he was nominated as the PDP governorship candidate for the November 2023 election in Imo State.
PDP’s Response
Despite the Supreme Court decision, the PDP has stood firm on Udeh-Okoye’s position as the party’s National Secretary. In a statement, Ologunagba emphasized that Udeh-Okoye’s appointment followed due process, including nomination by the South-East Zonal Executive Committee and ratification by the National Working Committee (NWC) during its 577th meeting on November 7, 2023.
“The Supreme Court judgment reaffirms the standing position of the party and emphatically settles the emergence of Rt. Hon. SKE Udeh-Okoye as the substantive National Secretary of the PDP,” the statement read.
The PDP noted that its internal mechanisms had already resolved the leadership question before the court ruling. The party commended the Supreme Court for upholding the principle of party supremacy in internal leadership matters and called on members to remain united.
Background of the Dispute
The controversy over the PDP’s National Secretary position began when Anyanwu vacated the seat to contest the 2023 Imo governorship election, which he lost. Following his defeat, he sought to reclaim the position, leading to legal disputes.
The PDP argued that since the South-East Zonal Executive Committee had nominated Udeh-Okoye as his replacement, and the decision had been ratified by all relevant party organs, Anyanwu could not return to the role.
Conclusion
The PDP’s insistence on Udeh-Okoye as National Secretary despite the Supreme Court’s ruling underscores the party’s determination to control its internal leadership structure. While the ruling may have reinforced the principle of party supremacy, it has also deepened the ongoing leadership tussle within the PDP. It remains to be seen how this dispute will ultimately be resolved.
