Senator Sam Anyanwu has resumed office as the National Secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), defying an Appeal Court ruling that removed him from the position. His controversial return yesterday at the party’s Wadata Plaza secretariat in Abuja sparked protests and heightened tensions within the party.
Following Anyanwu’s resumption, protesting youths stormed the PDP secretariat with placards declaring their support for him. Slogans such as “No vacancy in the National Secretary’s office” dominated the rally, rejecting the proposed assumption of Sunday Ude-Okoye as the new National Secretary.
In response to the situation, security operatives, including police officers, were deployed to the secretariat to maintain peace.
In a statement, Anyanwu argued that his resumption was legal because his appeal against the court judgment removing him from office is still pending. He cited precedents from the Nigerian Supreme Court and Court of Appeal, asserting that filing a stay of execution prevents the enforcement of the judgment.
He added: “My position as the National Secretary of the party remains sacrosanct until my pending appeal is determined.”
PDP’s Reaction
The PDP’s National Publicity Secretary, Debo Ologunagba, criticized Anyanwu’s return, calling it “unfortunate” and a source of embarrassment for the party during a critical period. He maintained that the party had not been served any notice of a stay of execution or motion to halt the enforcement of the court judgment.
Ologunagba added: “This is not the time for the PDP to face such distractions. We urge all parties involved to respect due process.”
Senator Anyanwu has been the PDP National Secretary since 2021, but his position was challenged in court. The Appeal Court judgment, which removed him, has deepened internal conflicts within the PDP’s leadership.
With both legal and political battles underway, the PDP faces a turbulent period that could test its unity ahead of key elections. Observers are watching closely to see how the party resolves this impasse.
