As work resumes on Monday after the Christmas and New Year holidays, stakeholders in the People's Democratic Party (PDP) are scrambling to avoid a possible showdown at the national secretariat.
This comes as the two rival aspirants for the position of National Secretary – Sunday Ude-Okoye, recognized by a Court of Appeal ruling, and Senator Sam Anyanwu, who appealed the ruling – remain adamant about assuming the position.
Both Ude-Okoye and Anyanwu have declared their intentions to report for service, refusing to step aside for the other.
This has raised fears among party stakeholders that their supporters may converge on the party headquarters at Wadata Plaza, Wuse Zone 5, Abuja, which could lead to chaos.
Efforts are reportedly underway to calm tensions and avoid any confrontation that could destabilize the party's operations.
Party stakeholders are concerned that the simultaneous appearances of both plaintiffs could lead to clashes, risking a breakdown of the peace.
Keen to avoid potential clashes, the Nigerian Tribune has learned, both Ude-Okoye and Anyanwu have been pressured by some senior members of the party to defend their ambitions cautiously.
Tensions are already high in the party due to ongoing factional disputes, particularly arising from unresolved leadership issues since the 2023 elections.
The leadership crisis in the main opposition party has intensified now that both Ude-Okoye and Anyanwu have begun to assert their claim to the position of national secretary.
The standoff, which has already divided members of the party's National Working Committee (NWC) and Board of Directors (BoT), threatens to destabilize the party as its national secretariat reopens.
Ude-Okoye, who was declared substantive National Secretary by the Court of Appeal sitting in Enugu, reportedly garnered the support of some NWC members and BoT leaders.
Meanwhile, Anyanwu insists he remains the legitimate official and cites his appeal of the court ruling to the Supreme Court as reason to maintain the status quo.
“I am still the National Secretary. The status quo remains because I am on appeal,” Anyanwu told TRIBUNE ONLINE.
He added that Ude-Okoye, despite the court ruling, has no authority to take office.
“He's educated enough to know that can't be the case,” he said.
The Court of Appeal ruled in favor of Ude-Okoye, confirming his appointment by the PDP South East Zone as Anyanwu's replacement. The court's decision followed Anyanwu's initial resignation from office to contest the Imo State governorship election.
Following his election defeat, Anyanwu again claimed the position of National Secretary, arguing that there was no vacancy.
Ude-Okoye, however, maintains that his appointment and the subsequent court ruling affirm his legitimacy. He has been seen at the party secretariat in Wadata Plaza during the holidays, indicating his intention to take full control of the office.
The conflict raises critical questions about the PDP's internal governance and compliance with its constitution. Senator Anyanwu has consistently argued that the Court of Appeal overstepped its bounds by interfering in what he considers internal party matters.
It claims that Ude-Okoye did not exhaust internal dispute resolution mechanisms before resorting to the judiciary, a violation of the party's constitutional processes.
Furthermore, Anyanwu claims that leadership matters within a political party are not justiciable and questions the jurisdiction of the courts in this matter.
The National Publicity Secretary of the PDP, Debo Ologunagba, has stated that the party will respect the rule of law.
I acknowledge receipt of the judgment of the Court of Appeal dated December 24, 2024, affirming Ude-Okoye as National Secretary.
“We are a party that respects the rule of law. We believe in the finality of the judicial process. We have always respected judicial pronouncements and we will always respect this culture,” Ologunagba said.
As the PDP secretariat reopens, both plaintiffs are expected to take steps to consolidate their positions.
Ude-Okoye's supporters are reportedly preparing for his formal assumption of office, while the Anyanwu camp remains firm in maintaining its claim.
Regarding the possible confrontation of both plaintiffs in the national secretariat, the party spokesperson said that the idea was mere speculation.
However, he declined to comment on the implications of Anyanwu's appeal to the Supreme Court, reiterating the party's commitment to upholding court rulings.
The fight for the post of National Secretary is the latest in a series of crises besetting the main opposition party, raising further concerns about the unity and future prospects of the PDP, particularly as it prepares for the upcoming elections.
The internal division between the factions supporting Ude-Okoye and Anyanwu threatens to further undermine the party's ability to present a united front to the electorate.
Party stakeholders worry that the leadership fight could alienate members and create divisions that could be exploited by political rivals.