Tag: Samuel Anyanwu

• NWC, governors’ forum split over national secretary

The division in the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has further deepened.

The party is now split down the line in the National Working Committee (NWC) and in its Governors’ Forum.

At the centre of this is the position of national secretary.

Besides, there is uncertainty over the National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting billed for Monday.

Two developments yesterday exposed the underbelly of the PDP crisis.

Acting National Chairman, Ambassador Umar Damagum, announced that Senator Samuel Anyanwu had been reinstated as the National Secretary.

He also said Monday’s NEC meeting had been put off.

But another group of leaders, comprising Deputy National Chairman (South) Taofeek Arapaja and other key members of the NWC, repudiated the position expressed by Damagum.

Damagum’s statement followed the advice by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to the main opposition party to follow the guidelines on the issuance of the notice for the NEC meeting.

Eleven of the 19-member NWC, led by Arapaja, denounced the decision, saying that it contradicted the resolution of the 99th NEC that the Deputy National Secretary, Setonji Koshoedo, should act as Secretary.

Also, Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister, Nyesom Wike, chided Damagum for waiting for directives from the electoral commission before implementing the Supreme Court judgment that affirmed Anyanwu as secretary.

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Wike, who spoke in Abuja during the inauguration of some projects, said the issue of reinstating Anyanwu did not arise because the secretary was not an appointee of the Chairman, but a party officer who has been working since his election.

‘Why Anyanwu was reinstated’

Explaining the reason for reinstating Anyanwu, the chairman said it was the outcome of the meeting between the party leadership and INEC.

Damagum, who spoke with reporters at the PDP National Secretariat in Abuja, said: “After due consultation and everything, we thought it’s a bitter pill and we have to swallow it.”

He said the party had no option but to ask Anyanwu to return to his office, adding that the observation by the electoral agency cannot be dismissed with a wave of the hand.

With Damagum at the news conference were the chairman of the PDP Governors’ Forum, Bauchi State Governor Bala Mohammed; Chairman of PDP National Assembly Caucus, Senator Abba Moro; House of Representatives Minority Leader, Kingsley Chinda; Chairman of PDP Strategy Committee, Senator Bukola Saraki; former governor of Bayelsa State, Senator Seriake Dickson, and some members of the NWC.

Damagum also explained that the PDP/INEC meeting necessitated the postponement of the NEC meeting.

He said: “We met with some of our governors, the Governors Forum, members of the Board of Trustees and the PDP Caucus in the National Assembly.

“Today (yesterday), I convened a critical meeting of the PDP NWC, though at short notice. We had an extensive meeting, and critical issues were discussed. We know where our problem is.

“INEC is our regulator and they have told us their position as it is; as it affects the issue surrounding the National Secretary.

“We are all aware that the National Secretary is a signatory of this party; it is a critical position that he holds.

“As such, we have decided to abide by the advice they gave us, especially as we have a very, very important election before us, that is, the FCT local government election, and we are running out of time.

“So, we have no option but to abide by the decision.”

Damagum urged the party faithful to show understanding about the difficult yet important decision.

He added: “The survival of the party is more than all of us, more than everything that you feel that you know and yearn for so.

“I want to use this opportunity to tell you that we will do the right thing, and it is the decision of most members of this party, led by the organs of the party.

“The leaders of the organs of the party will have an expanded caucus so that we can discuss extensively the way forward. That would be on the 30th, and we will issue the notice as there is not going to be NEC, but an expanded caucus.

“INEC told us that they do not have any notice of a NEC meeting from us because I was the only person who signed, and we have not followed the guidelines.

“So, the expanded caucus meeting will make a decision for NEC as well as all critical issues brought before us and leading to our national convention.

“Now,  Anyanwu will resume as the National Secretary. I think that’s the most important thing.”

Wike: Anyanwu has always been secretary

Wike said it was erroneous for the chairman to announce a reinstatement, stressing that Anyanwu never vacated the office of secretary.

He said: “I heard it when the acting national chairman of PDP was directing the National Secretary to resume.

“The National Secretary is not your appointee. The National Secretary has been doing his work. So, you can’t call him to resume.

“The National Secretary has been working and will continue to work. He doesn’t require anybody to direct him to resume work.

“If it’s because of your ignorance of the law, too bad. The law does not recognise ignorance. That you’re ignorant of the law is not an excuse.

“I feel so bad when people can now move to INEC, for INEC to direct them to obey the Supreme Court judgment, it’s most unfortunate.”

Wike urged Damagum to seek guidance instead of acting out of ego or relying solely on allocations, adding that money is not the solution to every problem.

He said: “I will not be a party of those who will shoot themselves. When you don’t know something, ask the right person. Not because of ego, not because of oh, I’m receiving a monthly allocation. Money does not solve all the problems.

“There’s nothing you can do about it. If you want to learn, come and meet us, we will teach you how to go about it.”

Damgum led some governors and other leaders of the party to a meeting with INEC chairman Prof. Mahmood Yakubu on Tuesday.

Prof. Yakubu advised the PDP chieftains who wanted him to guide the opposition party on who is their National Secretary, to take a decision based on the Supreme Court judgment.

He said it was for the party to decide and not the electoral agency.

Thereafter, Damagum promised to meet with party stakeholders to take a stance.

It was learnt that party stakeholders met all through Tuesday night, where they agreed to allow Anyanwu to continue in office.

NWC divided over reinstatement

According to the 11 NWC members who opposed Anyanwu’s reinstatement, the chairman took the decision without recourse to Section 31[3] of the PDP Constitution.

The aggrieved party officers also insisted in a statement that the PDP NEC meeting would be held on June 30.

“The attention of the NWC of the PDP has been drawn to a press briefing by Ambassador Damagum, wherein he attempted to overturn the resolution of the 99th National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting, which scheduled the 100th NEC meeting for Monday, 30th June 2025.

“The Acting National Chairman also reportedly announced that Senator Samuel Anyanwu has been asked to resume as National Secretary of the party, contrary to the resolution of the 99th NEC meeting, which referred all matters relating to the office of the National Secretary to 100th NEC meeting.

“The pronouncements by the Acting National Chairman have no foundation as no organ of the party (including the NWC), individual or group has the power to cancel, overrule, veto or vary the resolution of the NEC under the Constitution of the PDP (as amended in 2017).

“For the avoidance of doubt, the NEC is the highest decision-making organ of the party, second only to the National Convention.

“By virtue of Section 31 (3) of the PDP Constitution, the resolution of the NEC to hold its 100th meeting on Monday 30th June, 2025 is binding on all organs, officers, chapters and members of the party and no organ, group or individual can vary or veto this resolution of NEC.

“Furthermore, the claim by Amb. Damagum that Sen. Anyanwu has been asked to resume office as the National Secretary of the party is therefore misleading, being contrary to the resolution of NEC.

“In the light of the foregoing, the 100th NEC meeting as scheduled for Monday, 30th June, 2025 has not been cancelled or postponed. “

Signatories to the statement are: Arapaja;  Koshoedo (Deputy National Secretary), Ahmed Yayari Mohammed (National Treasurer), Okechukwu Obiechina Daniel (National Auditor), Debo Ologunagba (National Publicity Secretary), Woyengikuro Daniel (National Financial Secretary), Chief Ali Odefa (National Vice Chairman (Southeast),  Emmanuel Ogidi (Caretaker Committee Chairman (Southsouth), Mrs. Amina Darasimi D. Bryhm (National Woman Leader),  Senator Hayatu Bello Gwarzo and Ajisafe Kamoru Toyese (National Vice Chairman (Southwest).

The statement indicates a division, not just in the NWC but also in the PDP Governors’ Forum.

Arapaja is a known supporter of Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde. The governor is known to be opposed to Anyanwu but favours Sunday Ude-Okoye as National Secretary.

It was at a meeting of the Governors Forum he hosted in Ibadan that an arrangement was reached to side-step Anyanwu and Ude-Okoye for Setonji to act as national secretary.

That arrangement was dumped following superior legal advice and the admonition by the INEC chairman.

Suswam: Governors, Damagum are PDP’s  problem

Former Benue State Governor Gabriel Suswam yesterday accused Damagum and the governors of creating problems for the opposition party.

He said he may quit the PDP, adding: “With what’s going on in the PDP, I have started consultation on which party to move to.”

The former governor, who spoke on a television programme, said the chance of participating in next year’s governorship polls in Ekiti and Osun states by the party is remote.

Suswan, who said these chieftains were bent on destroying the party, hinted that he may leave along with his supporters.

He said Damagum and the governors were not good leaders, lamenting that their actions had led to confusion in the party.

The former governor said the confusion is underscored by the antagonistic statements of the chairman and other members of the NWC.

Suswan said: “The last time I was here, I told you about leadership.  Certain qualities define a good leader: integrity and clarity. The PDP leadership doesn’t have any of these. There’s no integrity in PDP leadership.

“I’m happy that Nyesom Wike mentioned repeatedly that Damagum is not a leader. It’s obvious here.

“What should have happened was that after a meeting with the INEC, a good leader would have met with the NWC to brief them before holding any press conference.

“I believe if he had met with them and agreed on the way to go, no member of the NWC would have gone out there to give a contrary opinion. I am sure they are not in the know of the outcome of the PDP/INEC meeting. That’s not leadership.

“Damagum has been the problem of the PDP. Since he assumed the acting national chairmanship office, the party has been drifting downwards. I have said this without number.

“First and foremost, they breached the provisions of the constitution, which stipulates that he should act for a certain time after which the position of the chairman returns to the Northcentral.

“Now, the magnitude of the confusion is unimaginable.

“We’re supposed to have a NEC meeting. While the chairman is saying one thing about the meeting, other NWC members are saying another thing about the meeting.

“It’s quite unfortunate that people who have benefited from this platform are the ones who are intentionally or unintentionally destroying the party.

“The governors cannot be exonerated from the confusion that has reigned in our party. The same governors, led by Bala Mohammed, met and passed a vote of confidence in the leadership of Damagum.

“So, a lot is going on that we don’t know. And, I believe that there’s more to it than what we see.

“And when you have a leader without clarity with focus and purpose, this is where it will lead us.

“It is very ridiculous that the PDP wrote letters to the INEC with different names as national secretary.

“How can you keep such a person leading a party as big as PDP and expect to get a different result?

“If Damagum, alongside the governors, issued a statement saying that Anyanwu should continue as a National Secretary and other members of the NWC being controlled by these governors, issuing another statement to counter Damagum’s, then, there’s more to it than meets the eye.

“Based on this confusion, we might end up not having a candidate in the Ekiti governorship election in 2026.

“Whether that is intentional, we don’t know. They just want to kill the PDP, and the governors are complicit in it.”

• Supreme Court reverses judgment sacking him as scribe

• Ologunagba: Udeh-Okoye remains National Secreatary; verdict confirms issue not judicial matter

Senator Samuel Anyanwu stormed the National Secretariat of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Abuja yesterday to resume work as National Secretary of the party moments after the Supreme Court set aside the December 20, 2024 majority judgment of the Court of Appeal in Enugu sacking him from the position.

Anyanwu addressed some party staff.

But his colleague on the PDP National Working Committee (NWC), Bode Ologunagba, disputed Anyanwu’s claim to victory at the apex court.

He said the fact that the Supreme Court declared that the issue of who becomes a party’s national secretary is that of party’s internal affair was an affirmation of Ude-Okoye as the rightful secretary.

Anyanwu’s lawyer, Mr. K. C. O. Njemanze (SAN), said it was a weighty matter for anyone to deliberately propagate utterly misleading versions of the judgment made by the nation’s apex court.

A five-member panel of the apex court, presided over by Justice Uwani Abba-Aji, said in its unanimous ruling that both the High Court of Enugu State and Court of Appeal in Enugu lacked jurisdiction to hear the cases that led to the appeal before them.

Justice Jamilu Tukur, in the lead judgment, held that the issues in the suit filed by Emmanuel Aniagwu at the HIgh Court of Enugu State bordered on matters relating to the internal affair of the PDP which are not justiceable and over which no courts have jurisdiction.

Justice Tukur held that it was indisputable that Aniagwu’s case before the High Court of Enugu fell squarely within the parameter of the  internal affair of a political party, which the trial court ought to have refused to entertain.

He held that the minority decision of the Court of Appeal in Enugu, delivered by Justice Joseph Ekanem was apt as it correctly applied the law to hold that the court lacked jurisdiction because the case bordered squarely on who should occupy the office of the National Secretary of the PDP.

Justice Tukur added that the trial court and the majority decision of the Court of Appeal, Enugu got it wrong when they chose to expend scarce judicial time on a case over which they have no jurisdiction.

Justice Tukur also held that Anyanwu’s participation in the last governorship election in Imo State as the candidate of the PDP was pursuant to the approval of the party’s leadership as against the claim by Aniagwu.

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He equally found that Aniagwu lacked the locus standi (the legal right) to have filed the suit, having not shown the personal injury he suffered and how Anyanwu’s conduct affected him personally.Justice Tukur described Aniagwu as a busy body and an interloper whose main purpose was to ensure the installation of Ude-Okoye to replace Anyanwu and serve out what was left of his (Anyanwu’s) tenure.

The judge also noted that while Ude-Okoye was positioned to be the beneficiary of the case, Aniagwu chose not to be made a party in the suit he filed before the High Court of Enugu State.

He affirmed the minority judgment of the Enugu division of the Court of Appeal delivered by Justice Ekanem, where he held that the court was without the requisite jurisdiction to hear the case.

Justice Tukur set aside the majority decision of the Court of Appeal in Enugu, which affirmed the judgment of the High Court of Enugu State, delivered on December 22, 2023.

He proceeded to strike out the suit filed by Aniagwu before the High Court of Enugu State for want of jurisdiction.

Aniagwu’s grouse had been that by the constitution of PDP, Anyanwu could not participate in the last Imo State governorship election and still remain in office as the National Secretary of the party.

One of the prayers granted by the High Court in its December 22, 2023 judgment was the issuance of an order of perpetual injunction restraining Anyanwu from further parading himself as the National Secretary of the PDP having relinquished the said position by conduct.

The court also made an order commanding the PDP “to recognise, in all situations, for all purposes and every manner necessary, including swearing in Honourable S.K. E. Ude-Okoye, the person recommended by the South East Zonal Executive of the first defendant as the National Secretary of the first defendant to enable Ude-Okoye to serve out the time left in the tenure of Anyanwu, who was elected as the National Secretary in 2021.”

Anyanwu appealed the decision and, in its judgment on December 20, 2023, the Court of Appeal in Enugu dismissed Anyanwu’s appeal on the grounds that he was, by virtue of the provision of the PDP’s constitution and electoral guidelines, deemed to have resigned as the National Secretary of the party at the time he collected the expression of interest and nomination forms to contest the Imo governorship election.

‘Udeh-Okoye Will Remain PDP National Secretary’ – Ologunagba

Ologunagba, in his statement on yesterday’s ruling of the Supreme Court, said it must be seen as an affirmation of Ude-Okoye’s claim to the position of PDP National Secretary.

He said: “The National Working Committee (NWC) of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has received the judgment of the Supreme Court which affirmed that the issue of Party leadership positions, including that of the National Secretary is entirely an internal affair of the Party requiring only the Party internal mechanism to which the courts have no jurisdiction.

“Today’s judgment of the Supreme Court reaffirms the standing position of the Party and emphatically settles the emergence of Rt. Hon. SKE Udeh Okoye as the substantive National Secretary of the PDP, having been duly nominated, endorsed and ratified through the internal mechanism of the PDP statutory Organs and bodies in line with provisions of the PDP Constitution (as amended in 2017).

“For clarity, the NWC at its 576th meeting held on the 11th of October, 2023, directed the South East Zonal Executive Committee to nominate a replacement for Senator Samuel Anyanwu upon Senator Anyanwu’s nomination as the governorship candidate of the PDP to contest the November 2023 governorship election in Imo State.

“Consequent upon the directive of the NWC, the South East Zonal Executive Committee at its meeting held on the 20th of October 2023 passed a resolution approving the emergence and forwarding of the name of Rt. Hon. SKE Udeh Okoye to the NWC as the National Secretary of the Party.

“Accordingly, the NWC at its 577th meeting held on 7th of November 2023 pursuant to its powers under the PDP Constitution, duly received, deliberated upon, accepted and approved the emergence of Rt. Hon. SKE Udeh Okoye as the National Secretary of the Party, which appointment has also since been endorsed by relevant Organs and bodies of the PDP including the Board of Trustees (BoT), South East Zonal Caucus, the PDP Governors’ Forum and officially communicated to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and the general public.

“The PDP commends the Supreme Court for upholding the principle of the supremacy of the Party in the management of its internal affairs, describing it as victory for democracy.”

Southeast PDP hails Supreme Court for ‘affirming party supremacy’

Similar sentiments were expressed by the Southeast Zonal Executive Committee of the PDP which hailed the Supreme Court for saving the party and the nation’s democracy.

Chairman of the Zonal Executive Committee, Chief Ali Odefa, and the Zonal Secretary, Hon. James Ugwu, said in a joint statement in Enugu that the verdict “expressly ratifies the South Zonal Executive Committee’s nomination of Hon. Sunday Udeh-Okoye as the party’s National Secretary to serve-out the remaining tenure of Senator Samuel Anyanyu, who had won the party’s nomination as its flag bearer in the Imo 2023 governorship election.”

They added: “It equally validates Udeh-Okoye’s ratification by the National Working Committee (NWC) on November 7, 2023 and his endorsement by various organs of the party.

“Consequently, the South East heartily congratulates our party leaders, party faithful, and, of course, Hon. Sunday Udeh-Okoye on this momentous victory.

“We are happy that this judgment has finally reestablished party supremacy and the ramifications of this decision is a big win for not just the PDP, but for all the political parties in Nigeria. By this decision, the Supreme Court has reaffirmed that, as our people would say, the okra can never be taller than the person that planted it. The party is supreme.”

Imo PDP hails Anyanwu’s courage, urges gladiators to close ranks

The Imo State chapter of the PDP interpreted the Supreme Court’s verdict as a victory for Anyanwu who is from the state.

It described the ruling as credible and sound.

The state’s Publicity Secretary, Lancelot Obiaku, commended Anyanwu for his courage in standing firm on the side of justice and rule of law amid “the unhealthy conspiracies and unconstitutional plots against him.”

He called on leaders and stakeholders of the party in the state and at the national level to close ranks and embrace peace for the stability and growth of the party.

‘Supreme Court affirmed Anyanwu’s position as PDP National Secretary’ – Counsel

Contacted last night, counsel to Anyanwu, Mr. K. C. O. Njemanze (SAN), wondered why anyone would want to misinterpret the ruling of the apex court on the matter.

He said his client clearly won his appeal.

His words: “The Supreme Court this morning being the 21st day of March 2025 delivered judgment in Appeal No: SC/CV/18/2025: Senator Smauel Anyanwu v. Aniagu Emmanuel.

“The Supreme Court in its unanimous decision/judgment allowed the appeal filed by Senator Samuel Anyanwu, set aside the majority decision of the Court of Appeal and affirmed the dissenting judgment of Hon. Justice Ekanem, JCA; the Supreme Court also struck out the suit filed by Aniagu Emmanuel at the Enugu State High Court for want of jurisdiction.

“In its judgment, the Supreme Court held that the issue for determination in the matter filed by Aniagu Emmanuel at the Enugu State High Court touch and concern leadership position in the Peoples Democratic Party i.e. the position of National Secretary of the said political party; and, therefore, that the issue of leadership being an internal affair of the PDP, the Enugu State High Court and the Court of Appeal lacked jurisdiction to entertain the said suit.

“The highest Court of the land also decided that the 1st Respondent/Plaintiff (Aniagu Emmanuel) lacked the locus standi to institute the action at the Enugu State High Court, and was a busybody and meddlesome interloper.

“Recall that Aniagu Emmanuel had instituted an action at the Enugu State High Court against the Appellant (Senator Samuel Anyanwu, the PDP & others) challenging the continued occupation of the office of National Secretary by Senator Anyanwu and contending that one S.K Udeh-Okoye having been recommended by the South-East Zonal Executive Committee should be recognized as the National Secretary of the PDP.”

Njemanze said there was no contest between Anyanwu and any other person whatsoever over who is the rightful claimant to the position of PDP National Secretary.

A Federal High Court in Abuja has restrained the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and the acting National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Umar Damagum, from taking any further steps that could adversely affect the interests of the party’s embattled National Secretary, Senator Samuel Anyanwu.

Justice Inyang Ekwo issued the order yesterday at the resumed hearing in a suit Anyanwu filed over the threat to his seat in the party.

Anyanwu is alleging, among others, that there were plots to sideline him in the running of the party, even when he is challenging a judgment of the Court of Appeal in Enugu, which affected the office of the PDP National Secretary.

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At the last hearing on February 19, Justice Ekwo refused to issue an ex parte order Anyanwu sought to stop INEC from acting on any document from the PDP without his signature as the party’s National Secretary.

The judge held that it would be appropriate for the respondents – INEC and Damagum – to be put on notice for them to show cause why the reliefs Anyanwu sought should not be granted.

He ordered Anyanwu to serve the court documents on INEC and Damagum for them to show cause why the reliefs he (Anyanwu) sought in the motion ex parte should not be granted.

The judge adjourned till February 24 for the respondents to show cause.