Security Operatives Besiege PDP Secretariat After Clash Over National Secretary Position
Security forces, including soldiers, policemen, and operatives from the National Security and Civil Defense Corps (NSCDC), have taken control of the national secretariat of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in Abuja following a violent clash between supporters of two contenders for the party’s national secretary position: Samuel Anyanwu and Sunday Ude-Okoye.
The altercation erupted on Wednesday when both Anyanwu and Ude-Okoye arrived to attend the PDP’s Board of Trustees (BoT) meeting. Tensions flared when an aide to Samuel Anyanwu forcefully removed Ude-Okoye from the meeting room shortly after the session went into a closed-door discussion.
This led to a confrontation between the factions supporting the two candidates, prompting the intervention of security personnel to restore order.
The battle for the National Secretary position has been a point of contention within the party since Anyanwu vacated the post to contest the Imo State governorship election, a race he ultimately lost. During his absence, the South-East Caucus of the PDP endorsed Ude-Okoye to fill the role.
Despite the legal setback, Anyanwu has continued to fight for his seat, and the issue has exacerbated divisions within the party. On December 20, 2024, an Appeal Court sitting in Enugu upheld a High Court ruling that removed Anyanwu from the position, affirming Ude-Okoye as the legitimate national secretary. However, Anyanwu has filed for a Stay of Execution and is pursuing an appeal.
The ongoing dispute has heightened tensions within the party, with the security presence at the secretariat serving as a reminder of the intense factionalism affecting the PDP’s leadership.
