The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) is in the midst of a leadership controversy following a Supreme Court ruling that has left many questioning the true occupant of the National Secretary position.
The party’s National Working Committee (NWC) has declared the ruling as an affirmation of Rt. Hon. SKE Udeh-Okoye as the legitimate National Secretary. However, the Supreme Court’s decision also nullified previous lower court judgments that had removed Senator Samuel Anyanwu from the role, deepening the confusion.
According to a statement by PDP’s National Publicity Secretary, Hon. Debo Ologunagba, the apex court’s verdict reinforces the party’s internal authority over leadership matters, making it clear that judicial interference in such affairs is limited.
A Battle of Legitimacy
The controversy stems from the 2023 Imo governorship election, where Anyanwu emerged as the PDP’s candidate, leading to a vacancy in the National Secretary position. The South East Zonal Executive Committee subsequently nominated Udeh-Okoye, a move ratified by the NWC and endorsed by the Board of Trustees and the PDP Governors’ Forum. The appointment was then communicated to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
Despite this process, legal battles ensued, with conflicting court rulings complicating the situation. On Friday, a five-member Supreme Court panel, led by Justice Uwani Abba-Aji, overturned previous judgments, asserting that the lower courts had overstepped their jurisdiction by interfering in party affairs.
PDP Calls for Unity Amid Internal Rift
While the PDP has welcomed the ruling, different factions within the party are interpreting it differently, leading to fresh debates over the rightful National Secretary. The NWC insists that the verdict solidifies Udeh-Okoye’s position, urging party members to remain united.
“The Supreme Court’s ruling upholds the supremacy of the party in managing its internal affairs. We call on all members to move forward in unity and focus on strengthening the PDP,” the NWC statement read.
With tensions brewing and political camps taking sides, the PDP faces an uphill battle in resolving this leadership crisis before it further destabilizes the party’s structure.
