Senator Sam Anyanwu, the controversial national secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), has accused the party’s governors and board of trustees (BoT) of trying to have him removed because of his close relationship with Nyesom Wike, the minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
According to reports, Anyanwu also claimed that governors of the PDP were planning to start a new political party.
He said in an interview with Saturday Tribune that governors and the BoT were waging a “proxy war” against him, including pushing for the inauguration of Sunday Udeh-Okoye, who was confirmed as National Secretary by the Court of Appeal.
There have been ongoing internal disputes within the PDP, especially between groups who support Wike and those that oppose his dominance.
The former governor of Rivers State supported Anyanwu, a well-known Wike loyalist, in his failed attempt to become governor of Imo State. He asserted that the only reason his opponents are pursuing him is because of his connection to Wike.
Anyanwu called the governors’ forum a “social gathering.” He denied that the governors’ and the BoT’s actions were legitimate, claiming that neither body had constitutional authority inside the PDP.
In actuality, these individuals are engaged in a proxy conflict. They are aware of my connection to Wike. That’s all. “I have no problem with any of them,” he declared.
“The governors’ forum is a voluntary organization,” he said, characterizing the PDP Governors’ Forum as a non-binding entity. Any governor may choose to join. It’s not a requirement. It is a social event.
He stated, “I know these people,” highlighting his longstanding position in the party. They were given tickets to run for governor by the party. Prior to the majority of them becoming governors, I served as National Secretary.
Governors Are Charged With Party Defection Plotting
Anyanwu further said that PDP governors are purposefully inciting internal strife in order to defend defection and the establishment of alternative political organizations.
“The party has no problems. He asserted, “They are only generating tension and needless issues so they can join the parties they wish to form.”
After the PDP Governors Forum formally approved Udeh-Okoye as the National Secretary during a meeting in Asaba, Delta State, the dispute intensified.
This action came after a Court of Appeal decision in Enugu upheld Udeh-Okoye’s legitimacy as the position’s legitimate holder.
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The appointment of Udeh-Okoye is approved by the BoT.
Anyanwu temporarily resigned to run for governor of Imo State in 2024, and Udeh-Okoye was chosen to fill the post. Even though the South-East Zone had previously nominated Udeh-Okoye in compliance with party rules, Anyanwu made an effort to regain the position after his electoral defeat.
By approving a committee report headed by Barr. Kabiru Tanimu Turaki (SAN), the PDP’s Board of Trustees strengthened the governors’ stance and affirmed the court’s decision in support of Udeh-Okoye.
Anyanwu disclosed that the PDP National Working Committee (NWC) has not yet met to begin the process of calling a meeting of the National Executive Committee (NEC), as suggested by the governors.
