Because of his strong relationship with Nyesom Wike, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Senator Sam Anyanwu, the controversial national secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), has accused the party’s governors and board of trustees (BoT) of trying to have him removed.
Anyanwu reportedly said that PDP governors were planning to start a new political party.
In an interview with Saturday Tribune, he characterized the drive to install Sunday Udeh-Okoye, who was confirmed as National Secretary by the Court of Appeal, as part of a “proxy war” that the BoT and governors were waging against him.
The PDP has been dealing with ongoing internal strife, mainly between groups who support Wike and those that oppose his authority.
When Anyanwu, a well-known Wike friend, ran unsuccessfully for governor of Imo State, the former governor of Rivers State supported him. He asserted that his opponents are focusing on him just due to his connection to Wike.
Anyanwu referred to the governors’ forum as a “social gathering” and questioned the validity of the governors’ and BoT’s acts, claiming that neither body had constitutional authority inside the PDP.
“These individuals are actually engaged in a proxy conflict. My relationship with Wike is known to them. That is all. He declared, “I have no problem with any of them.”
In his statement, he described the PDP Governors’ Forum as a voluntary organization that lacks legally binding jurisdiction. Any governor has the option to join. Not all of it is required. A social event is being held.
He emphasized his longstanding affiliation with the party by saying, “I know these people.” They received tickets to become governors from the party. I served as National Secretary prior to the majority of them becoming governors.
Accused of Plotting Party Defection: Governors
PDP governors, according to Anyanwu, are purposefully inciting internal strife in order to defend desertion and the establishment of new political organizations.
“The party is not having any problems. They are merely inciting conflict and making needless issues so they may join the parties they wish to build,” he said.
After Udeh-Okoye was formally endorsed as the National Secretary by the PDP Governors Forum during a meeting in Asaba, Delta State, the tension intensified.
Following a Court of Appeal decision in Enugu that upheld Udeh-Okoye as the legitimate occupant of the position, this action was taken.
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BoT Approves of Udeh-Okoye’s Position
After Anyanwu temporarily resigned to run for governor of Imo State in 2024, Udeh-Okoye was put forward as the candidate. Anyanwu tried to regain the position after losing the election, even though Udeh-Okoye had already been nominated by the South-East Zone in compliance with party rules.
A committee report headed by Barr. Kabiru Tanimu Turaki (SAN) was adopted by the PDP’s Board of Trustees, reinforcing the governors’ stance and upholding the court’s decision in favor of Udeh-Okoye.
In reference to the governors’ recommended National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting, Anyanwu disclosed that the PDP National Working Committee (NWC) had yet to meet in order to begin the process.
