PDP National Secretary Anyanwu Vows Not to Resign, Accuses Makinde, Mbah of Plotting His Removal

The National Secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Senator Samuel Anyanwu, has vowed not to resign from his position despite mounting pressure from some party leaders.

Anyanwu, who addressed journalists in Abuja on Wednesday, alleged a coordinated effort led by Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde and his Enugu State counterpart, Peter Mbah, to remove him from office before the expiration of his tenure.

Describing the development as “politically motivated and lacking constitutional basis,” Anyanwu declared, “There is no vacancy in the office of the National Secretary of the PDP.

I remain the substantive National Secretary whose tenure runs until December 2025.”

He explained that he only took a leave of absence to contest the 2023 governorship election in Imo State, and had formally notified both the PDP and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) of his decision.

“I wrote to the party and to INEC before proceeding on leave. That letter was acknowledged. My deputy only acted on my behalf. At no time did I resign my position,” he stated.

Anyanwu insisted that the position of National Secretary is zoned to the South, and more specifically to the South-East, with Imo State designated as the source of nomination. He questioned the ongoing push for a replacement from Enugu State.

“If the zoning principle is to be respected, any replacement must come from Imo State, not Enugu. Governor Mbah is pushing for a replacement that violates the PDP’s own zoning formula,” he said.

The former lawmaker also accused former South-East National Vice Chairman of the party, Ali Odefa, of orchestrating the campaign against him and misleading party leaders, including Governor Mbah, with false information.

He noted that Odefa had been expelled from the PDP and therefore lacked any legal standing to influence party affairs.

Citing a High Court judgment dated January 26, 2025, Anyanwu stressed that any action taken by Odefa or his associates was legally null and void.

The PDP scribe further alleged that Governors Makinde and Mbah were attempting to install Sunday Ude-Okoye as secretary through what he described as “improper channels,” including manipulating party staff and convening unauthorised meetings.

Reacting to speculations about his alleged alliance with FCT Minister Nyesom Wike, Anyanwu dismissed the rumours, saying his personal friendship with Wike had never interfered with his loyalty to the PDP.