The National Legal Adviser of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Kamaldeen Ajibade (SAN), has urged the party’s National Working Committee (NWC) to immediately swear in former National Youth Leader, Sunday Ude-Okoye, as the National Secretary.
In an internal memo received by Acting National Chairman Umar Damagum on Monday, Ajibade affirmed his full support for the Board of Trustees (BoT) panel’s decision.
He emphasized that since both Ude-Okoye and Senator Samuel Anyanwu had submitted to the BoT panel led by former Minister of Special Duties, Tanimu Turaki, they should honor its findings.
The PDP has been grappling with internal divisions since before and after the 2023 elections.
Tensions over the National Secretary position escalated after the South East nominated Ude-Okoye to replace Anyanwu, who had contested the Imo governorship election.
On December 20, 2024, the Appeal Court ruled in favor of Ude-Okoye, but the dispute persisted.
The conflict deepened when Anyanwu’s supporters removed Ude-Okoye from a BoT meeting on January 28, leading to intervention from party leaders.
PDP governors, led by Bauchi State Governor Bala Mohammed, endorsed Ude-Okoye on January 31.
However, Anyanwu rejected the decision and petitioned the Inspector General of Police, Supreme Court, and Appeal Court, accusing the governors of worsening the crisis.
On February 6, Damagum sought legal advice from Ajibade regarding the BoT’s directive.
In response, Ajibade issued a memo on February 7, which was received on Monday, reaffirming Ude-Okoye’s legitimacy as National Secretary.
Ajibade stated that both parties had voluntarily submitted to the BoT’s authority and should respect its decision. He warned that rejecting the legal opinion would worsen internal tensions.
With this legal backing, the PDP is expected to proceed with swearing in Ude-Okoye, potentially bringing an end to the prolonged leadership dispute.
