ENUGU, Nigeria (VOICE OF NAIJA)- The National Secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Senator Samuel Anyanwu, has firmly declared that he will not resign his position, despite mounting pressure from some party leaders.
He specifically accused Governors Seyi Makinde of Oyo State and Peter Mbah of Enugu State of orchestrating a coordinated plan to oust him before the end of his tenure.
Speaking to journalists on Wednesday in Abuja, Anyanwu dismissed the crisis as politically motivated and lacking any constitutional basis.
“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 asserted.
Anyanwu clarified that he only took a leave of absence to contest the 2023 governorship election in Imo State and had formally notified both the party 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 explained.
He emphasized that the position of National Secretary is zoned to the South and, more specifically, micro-zoned to the South-East, with Imo State as the designated source of nomination.
“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,” Anyanwu stated.
He also accused former South-East National Vice Chairman, Hon. Ali Odefa, of being behind the campaign against him, alleging that Odefa is feeding false information to governor Mbah and others. Anyanwu maintained that Odefa has no legal standing in the party.
“Odefa’s tenure expired in March. He was expelled from the party and the High Court confirmed it. He has no business attending or convening any PDP meeting,” he said.
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Citing a High Court ruling from January 26, 2025, Anyanwu stressed that any action or meeting involving Odefa is fundamentally illegal.
“The judgment states clearly that any meeting presided over or attended by Ali Odefa is infected with the virus of fundamental illegality and cannot stand. That ruling has not been appealed. It remains binding and enforceable,” he declared.
Anyanwu further accused governors Makinde and Mbah of colluding to install Mr. Sunday Ude-Okoye as National Secretary by circumventing proper procedures and manipulating party staff.
“How can governors gang up to insert someone as Secretary? This is the height of impunity. Staff were sponsored, and processes were bypassed,” he alleged.
He also rejected claims that his loyalty to the PDP had been compromised by his friendship with the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike.
“I can never deny my friend. After political offices, life continues. I’m not the type to sacrifice loyalty for convenience,” he stated.
Addressing rumours of a possible coalition or merger, Anyanwu firmly ruled out any alliance talks involving the PDP.
“There is no coalition. PDP is not merging with anyone. Other parties can join us if they like, but we are not surrendering our identity,” he declared.
Reflecting on the 2023 Imo governorship election, Anyanwu expressed frustration over the lack of support from some within the PDP, despite his long-standing commitment to the party.
“I contested that election without a kobo from the party. None of those now calling for my resignation helped me. Yet they want me out?” he said.
He warned that any unlawful move to remove him from office could have serious legal implications for the party’s structures and activities since November 2023.
“If my office is nullified, then every action I’ve taken, every congress and nomination, is also null and void. That means PDP has no structure nationwide,” he cautioned.
Anyanwu however, called for calm and unity ahead of the party’s next convention, urging party leaders to put the PDP’s collective interest above personal ambition.
“Let us go in peace. We came into this as a family. Let’s not destroy the house because of selfish interests,” he said.