PDP Crisis Deepens as Anyanwu Insists He’s the Undisputed National Secretary

Embattled National Secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Senator Samuel Anyanwu, has declared that he remains the legitimate occupant of the position, warning that no internal force, including a “Julius Berger crane,” can unseat him.

Anyanwu made the declaration at the ongoing Southeast PDP Zonal Stakeholders’ Meeting, amid the growing leadership tussle between him and Sunday Ude-Okoye.

“I am the only National Secretary of the PDP, and no force, not even a Julius Berger crane, can remove me from this position,” Anyanwu asserted.

He challenged Enugu State Governor, Peter Mbah, and other PDP governors to publicly declare whether he had received any form of gratification from them.

“I dare Governor Peter Mbah and every PDP governor to publicly say if I have taken a bottle of water from them. If anyone does, I will resign immediately,” he said.

The crisis over who is the authentic National Secretary of the PDP erupted after Anyanwu left the position to contest the November 2023 governorship election in Imo State, which he lost. Following his departure, the Southeast Caucus nominated Ude-Okoye to assume the role.

Also speaking at the meeting, Senate Minority Whip, Senator Osita Ngwu, appealed to the party’s leadership to respect the decision of the Southeast Caucus and recognize Ude-Okoye.

“Our prayer and appeal is that this party should carefully look into our request in line with what has been done in the past. Precedents have been set,” Ngwu said.

“The request of this zone should not be jettisoned. We are not here to give orders, but to make an appeal so that the decision that will be taken will be for the growth of the party.”

Meanwhile, former Governor of Imo State, Chief Achike Udenwa, weighed in on the matter, insisting that the backing of Anyanwu by certain political forces does not outweigh the collective will of the Southeast PDP Caucus.