The ongoing battle over the position of National Secretary in the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) has escalated, with the Concerned People’s Democratic Party League (CPDPL) reaffirming its unwavering support for Senator Samuel Nnameka Anyanwu. The group insists that Anyanwu remains the legitimate officeholder and accuses certain party leaders of orchestrating a smear campaign to unlawfully unseat him.
At a press conference in Abuja on Friday, CPDPL leader Co Daboikiabo Z. Warmate delivered a fiery address, calling out House of Representatives member Hon. Ikenga Ugochinyere, PDP National Publicity Secretary Debo Ologunagba, National Legal Adviser Kamaladin Ajibade (SAN), and PDP Board of Trustees (BoT) Chairman Senator Adolphus Wabara. Warmate alleged that these individuals were engaged in a deliberate violation of the PDP constitution to serve their selfish interests.
According to Warmate, Wabara manipulated the BoT list to insert Sunday Udeh-Okoye, an action that allegedly led to a violent invasion of the PDP national secretariat. He accused Wabara of employing legal maneuvering in the past for personal gain but now seeking to deny Anyanwu the same legal rights.
A Legal Battle for Legitimacy
Warmate clarified that Anyanwu had followed due process when he contested and won the PDP Imo State gubernatorial primary. He had taken a temporary leave from his role as National Secretary, with proper notification sent to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), yet undue pressure was mounted on him to resign. His refusal, he argued, aligns with Section 47(5) of the PDP Constitution (as amended in 2017).
To counter what it described as an illegal attempt to remove Anyanwu, his supporters sought a restraining order from the Federal High Court in Abuja, which was granted by Justice I. E. Ekwo on January 9, 2024. Warmate noted that this order remains in force, as it has neither been stayed nor appealed.
However, in a parallel development, an Enugu High Court ruling on October 25, 2023, declared Anyanwu’s seat vacant based on contested interpretations of party guidelines. This decision was later upheld by an Appeal Court in Enugu on December 20, 2024. Warmate dismissed both rulings as misinformed and pointed out that Anyanwu had since secured a stay of execution from the Appeal Court in Abuja, further reinforcing his legitimacy.
A Coordinated Effort to Destabilize PDP?
Warmate alleged that opponents of Anyanwu, including Ugochinyere, Ologunagba, and Wabara, were acting as "agents of destabilization" within the party. He criticized their alleged manipulation of legal proceedings and accused them of twisting PDP’s constitution to serve external interests.
He further condemned Ugochinyere as a “political propagandist,” Ologunagba as an “ineffective publicity secretary,” and Wabara as a BoT Chairman whose tenure, he claimed, had expired. According to Warmate, these individuals are playing into the hands of forces aiming to weaken the PDP ahead of future elections.
Call for Unity and Due Process
Despite the internal turmoil, Warmate praised PDP Acting National Chairman Amb. Iliya Damagum for maintaining stability in the party. He urged all members to resist unlawful attempts to hijack the National Secretary position and to respect judicial rulings.
“No one can destroy or destabilize the PDP,” Warmate declared. “We insist that Senator Samuel Nnameka Anyanwu remains the authentic PDP National Secretary in line with the party constitution and existing laws of the land.”
With the legal battle still unfolding, the CPDPL vowed to continue resisting what it called “illegal and desperate” attempts to rewrite the PDP’s leadership structure. The group urged party faithful to ignore false narratives and stand firm in defense of the party’s integrity.
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