The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has officially reinstated Samuel Anyanwu as its National Secretary, following months of internal disputes and legal battles.
The announcement was made on Wednesday, June 25, 2025, by the party’s Acting National Chairman, Ambassador Iliya Damagum, during a press briefing. He was joined by key party figures including Bauchi State Governor Bala Mohammed and former Senate President Bukola Saraki. Damagum acknowledged that the decision to reinstate Anyanwu into the party’s National Working Committee (NWC) was contentious but ultimately accepted by a majority of party stakeholders. “It was a difficult decision, but it has been endorsed by the organs of the party,” he stated.
He further disclosed that the planned National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting has been cancelled. “Instead, we will hold an expanded caucus meeting. At that gathering, further steps will be taken towards convening a proper NEC,” he explained. “Anyanwu is resuming as National Secretary. As INEC has said, they are yet to receive formal notice from us, so on June 30, we’ll proceed with an extended caucus session.”
Background of the Crisis
The PDP has been entangled in a protracted leadership crisis concerning the office of the National Secretary. The controversy began when Samuel Anyanwu, while still serving in the position, contested the Imo State governorship election in November 2023 without formally stepping down.
In response, the South-East zonal chapter of the PDP nominated Sunday Udeh-Okoye as his replacement in October 2023, setting off a series of legal battles. Various lower courts issued conflicting rulings on the matter, creating uncertainty over who legitimately held the position.
The matter reached the Supreme Court in March 2025, which dismissed all previous judgments, ruling that the dispute was an internal party issue and beyond judicial resolution.
Despite the Supreme Court’s verdict, the South-East PDP leadership re-nominated Udeh-Okoye in May 2025 and warned that they may withdraw support from the party if their nomination was not upheld.
The reinstatement of Anyanwu marks a significant turning point in the saga, though tensions within the party’s South-East bloc remain unresolved.
