Nigeria News NalinThe report said that the battle of control within the People’s Democratic Party has escalated after Friday’s Supreme Court ruling, which greatly strengthened the influence of Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister Nyesom Wike.
Wick’s allies celebrated the verdict, which granted him control of the Rivers State Capitol, but opponents within his PDP hierarchy were reportedly awaiting the Supreme Court’s decision on the party’s state secretary position as they awaited the Supreme Court’s decision.
Controversy pits the senator RespectWike Ally, against honor. Sunday Udeh-Okoyehe likes the support of the PDP Governor Forum and the Party’s Board of Directors (BOT). The Supreme Court plans to hold a hearing on March 10 to consider Anyanwu’s appeal against his removal from his post, which was previously upheld by the appeal court.
One of the urgent concerns of PDP stakeholders is the proposals of the PDP Governors Forum and the National Working Committee (NWC) led by Ambassador Ambassadors Ilyas Damagumconvened a meeting of the National Executive Committee (NEC) before March 13.
The last PDP NEC meeting was held on April 18, 2024. Although a meeting was initially scheduled for October 2024, the meeting was postponed indefinitely. The March 13 meeting forum and the re-push of the robots has restored tensions, especially in the office of the State Secretary amidst the ongoing leadership quarrel.
On February 6, 2025, the Supreme Court set March 10 as the date of hearing for Anyanwu’s appeal. Represented by his lawyer Ken Njemanze (SAN), Anyanwu challenged the December 20, 2024 Court of Appeal ruling that upheld his dismissal and recognized Udeh-Okoye as the due State Secretary.
Anyanwu argued that fraudulent documents were used against him in the lower court, and claimed that the Court of Appeal went beyond its power by ruling that he believed matters within the party. He further insisted that the PDP’s constitution clearly outlined the four-year term of party officials, meaning that his removal lacked proper legal support.
Respondents in the case include PDP and its President, ambassador IMA Wet.
The report shows that the power group seeking to lose Anyanwu and Damagum is complying with an adverse Supreme Court ruling against Anyanwu. If that happens, they aim to use the NEC meeting to launch Damagum to act President.
“No one wants to speak now. We are focused on the verdict on March 10. If we expect anything, we will be able to expel them (Damagum and Anyanwu) and give the party a new beginning,” said the robot member anonymously.
In addition to Friday’s Supreme Court ruling, Vick’s supporters have gained further confidence from a recent federal high court ruling in Abakaliki, which upheld the expulsion chief Or Odefaformer vice chairman of PDP (Southeast). Odefa played an important role in supporting Udeh-Okoye’s bid for the position of state secretary.
In addition, last Monday, Justice You understand The Federal High Court of Abuja approved Anyanwu’s application to restrict the Independent National Election Commission (INEC) to avoid recognizing him as the PDP’s State Secretary.
The PDP leadership remains cautious in the ongoing legal battle, especially the upcoming Anambra state gubernatorial election is scheduled to be held on November 8, 2025. Meanwhile, despite some stakeholder pressure, the party avoided allowing Udeh-Okoye to sign official documents.
Tensions were further exacerbated in the PDP National Secretariat as the power struggle between Wike and Atiku Abubakar factions continued. The party recently rejected a letter introducing the newly elected South-South Regional Working Committee, chaired by the Chiefs and Orbihafter the Congressional Convention in Cross River State, was the Vic loyalist.
The PDP Mobilization Bureau repeatedly sent the letter to Senator Anyanwu as state secretary upon arrival, and was repeatedly stamped by the PDP Mobilization Bureau, reflecting the deepening gap within the party’s leadership.
