The National Secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Senator Samuel Anyanwu, has rejected efforts by some of the party’s governors to remove him from office, declaring that he was elected for a four-year term at the PDP National Convention and cannot be ousted by a few party members.
⚖️ Anyanwu Challenges Governors’ Attempt to Replace Him
In response to the PDP Governors’ Forum‘s attempt to replace him, Anyanwu described the move as an infringement on both the PDP constitution and Nigerian laws. He made the comments following a meeting of the governors in Ibadan, Oyo State, on Monday, where they proposed that the Deputy National Secretary temporarily assume the role of National Secretary until a substantive appointment is made from the South East Zone.
Reacting to the development, Anyanwu stated:
“I remain the National Secretary of the PDP. This is not the first time some individuals have attempted to bypass the party’s constitution. The Supreme Court has already addressed this issue, and I am returning to my office at Wadata Plaza, Abuja, after the Easter holidays, because there is no vacancy for anyone to occupy.”
💼 Legal Mandate Upheld by Supreme Court
Senator Anyanwu emphasized that his position as National Secretary was upheld by a March 2025 Supreme Court judgment, which explicitly invalidated the attempts to remove him. He further referenced a Federal High Court order from January 2025, which prohibits any action by PDP leaders, including the Deputy National Secretary, to assume his position.
Anyanwu stated that the PDP Governors were not acting in the party’s best interest, as their actions contradicted the court orders and the PDP’s constitution.
“The Supreme Court’s decision is clear. No provision in the party’s constitution allows a few privileged individuals to override the decisions made at the national convention or invalidate the party’s constitution,” Anyanwu noted.
🚨 Rising Tensions Within PDP
The move by the governors has caused a stir within the PDP, with several factions within the party expressing their loyalty to Anyanwu. Some loyalists of the National Secretary believe that the efforts to remove him are politically motivated and linked to personal rivalries, particularly involving FCT Minister Nyesom Wike.
A PDP Youth Group from the South-South has accused some of the governors of being covert loyalists to President Bola Tinubu and working against the PDP’s interests. They claim the governors are using the issue of Anyanwu’s position as a way to settle personal scores.
“Some governors are upset over Anyanwu’s ties with Nyesom Wike, and their actions against him are contrary to the PDP’s constitution,” the group said.
⚔️ PDP Frontliners Warn Against Further Conflict
The PDP Frontliners, a pressure group within the party, also expressed concerns over the governors’ attempt to replace Anyanwu. In a statement, the group warned that such actions could worsen the party’s internal crisis and make it harder to mount a successful challenge in the 2027 elections.
“Targeting Anyanwu risks deepening the PDP’s internal crisis. The party is already struggling in states like Anambra, where members are hesitant to buy gubernatorial nomination forms due to chaos. The governors’ actions seem to be more about a proxy war against Wike than a principled stand on party unity,” the group stated.
🛑 Anyanwu’s Commitment to PDP
Despite the ongoing tension, Anyanwu remains steadfast in his commitment to the PDP. He pointed out that his legal mandate as National Secretary extends until December 2025, and that his tenure is constitutionally protected.
“Being friends with the FCT minister is not a crime. I am committed to the PDP and its success above all personal sentiments,” Anyanwu concluded.
