PDP BoT Addresses Leadership Crisis in Emergency Meeting

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Board of Trustees (BoT) convened an emergency meeting on Wednesday, February 5, 2025, at the Transcorp Hilton Hotel in Abuja, to address the escalating leadership crisis within the party, particularly the dispute over the National Secretary position. The meeting, which commenced at noon, aimed to find lasting solutions to the issues between Samuel Anyanwu and Sunday Ude-Okoye, both of whom are claiming the position.

Key points from the meeting:

Attendees: The meeting was attended by prominent party figures, including BoT Chairman Senator Adolphus Wabara, BoT Secretary Senator Ahmed Makarfi, former governors Achike Udenwa, Sam Egwu, and Babangida Aliyu.

Objective: The BoT sought to address the tensions between factions loyal to Samuel Anyanwu and Sunday Ude-Okoye, who are both vying for the PDP National Secretary position.

Turaki's Report: The BoT adopted the report of its committee led by Barr. Kabiru Tanimu Turaki SAN, recognizing Hon. Sunday Udeh-Okoye as the substantive National Secretary of the party[3]. This decision aligns with the declaratory judgment of the High Court of Enugu, which was upheld by the Court of Appeal[3].

Wabara's Remarks: BoT Chairman Adolphus Wabara commended the PDP governors for advocating that the National Working Committee (NWC) hold its National Executive Council (NEC) meeting in March. He also noted that meetings would be suspended at the Wadata Plaza, the party’s national secretariat, until security is restored, citing the violence that occurred the previous week.

BoT Resolutions: The BoT charged the National Working Committee (NWC) to recognize and immediately swear in Hon. Sunday Udeh-Okoye as the National Secretary of the PDP, in obedience to the Judgment of the Court of Appeal[3]. The BoT also expressed satisfaction with the PDP Governors’ Forum and the NWC for setting Thursday, March 13th, 2025, as the date for the National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting. A vote of confidence was also passed on Senator Adolphus Wabara and Senator Ahmed Makarfi for their leadership.

The dispute over the PDP Secretary position has deepened internal divisions, with both Okoye and Anyanwu laying claim to the office and causing tensions among party members. The BoT's decision aims to resolve this crisis and ensure the party moves forward with a clear leadership structure.