The authorized dispute involving the workplace of the Nationwide Secretary of the Peoples Democratic Occasion has deepened the division throughout the get together’s Nationwide Working Committee.
A dependable supply, who requested anonymity attributable to lack of authorisation to talk on the matter, revealed that the NWC was as soon as once more in turmoil due to the continued litigation over the get together’s Nationwide Secretary place.
The supply, a senior member of the PDP NWC, knowledgeable Sunday PUNCH that the Performing Nationwide Chairman, Umar Damagum, Nationwide Organising Secretary, Umar Bature, and some others acquired the Court docket of Attraction, Enugu Division ruling, which eliminated Samuel Anyanwu and declared former Nationwide Youth Chief, Sunday Okoye, because the substantive Nationwide Secretary, with blended reactions.
In response to the supply, the vast majority of the NWC members, together with the PDP Authorized Adviser Kamaldeeen Ajibade, SAN, Nationwide Publicity Secretary, Debo Ologunagba, Deputy Nationwide Secretary Setonji Koshoedo, Nationwide Treasurer, Alhaji Ahmed Yayari, and Nationwide Monetary Secretary Dr Woyengikuro Daniel, amongst others, firmly insisted that the judgment be enforced.
The PDP has been embroiled in disaster each throughout and after the 2023 election.
Many get together members have blamed former Rivers State governor Nyesom Wike’s ally, Damagum for the continued turmoil.
The disaster has deeply affected all components and buildings of the PDP.
Relating to the Nationwide Secretary place, the PDP South East zone had in 2023, nominated the previous Nationwide Youth Chief to exchange Anyanwu after he was chosen because the get together’s candidate for the Imo State governorship election.
The South East PDP argued that Anyanwu ceased to be Nationwide Secretary as soon as he grew to become the get together’s candidate within the Imo ballot.
Nonetheless, the nomination of Ude-Okoye as Nationwide Secretary sparked authorized battles, leading to two conflicting court docket rulings.
In a brand new growth, on December 20, the Attraction Court docket upheld the Enugu Excessive Court docket resolution, which had beforehand confirmed Ude-Okoye’s nomination as Anyanwu’s successor.
Consequently, PDP Nationwide Publicity Secretary, Debo Ologunagba insisted that the get together would obey the court docket judgment.
The supply disclosed that Damagum, who had the backing of Anyanwu in the course of the NWC’s factionalisation, was doing every part attainable to enchantment the Enugu judgment and doubtlessly delay its implementation.
He stated, “What I do know is that the NWC is as soon as once more divided. Damagum, the NOS, and Anyanwu are on one aspect, making an attempt to enchantment or probably delay the implementation of the judgment till they will discover a political answer.
“Alternatively, some NWC members, such because the Nationwide Authorized Adviser, Ologunagba, the Treasurer, and the PDP Monetary Secretary, amongst others, need Anyanwu eliminated and Okoye supported because the PDP Nationwide Secretary.
“There’s a palpable concern throughout the get together at this second. This has reignited the disaster within the get together’s NWC. Whereas Wike is backing Damagum and Anyanwu of their efforts to overturn the judgment, the opposing aspect has the assist of Bauchi State Governor Bala Mohammed, Rivers State Governor Sim Fubara, and several other different governors and get together leaders.”
When reached for remark, Okoye acknowledged that in accordance with the Enugu Attraction Court docket ruling, he was the reliable Nationwide Secretary of the get together.
The previous Nationwide Youth Chief, who insisted that Anyanwu’s dismissal stood, confirmed that the PDP remained a united get together.
He acknowledged, “The Enugu judgment of twentieth December 2024 affirmed me because the PDP Nationwide Secretary, and Sam Anyanwu is now a former Nationwide Secretary.
“The judgment could be very specific, and I’ve resumed my position because the PDP Nationwide Secretary. The judgment directed that I be sworn in inside 24 hours, and I’ve not heard anybody from the get together brazenly refusing this judgment. So, the judgment has perfected my place because the PDP substantive Nationwide Secretary.”
When contacted, the ousted Nationwide Secretary stated the matter had been appealed.
Anyanwu, in an unique interview with our correspondent, acknowledged, “The matter has been appealed on the identical date. So, as I’m involved there is no such thing as a subject about that.”