The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has formally acknowledged the removal of Senator Samuel Anyanwu as National Secretary of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), following correspondence to it signed by acting National Chairman, Ambassador Umar Damagum, and the newly recognised acting National Secretary, Arc. Setonji Koshoedo.
This development came amid mounting internal strife within the party, as INEC also confirmed receipt of the PDP’s governorship candidates for the upcoming Anambra State election, jointly signed by Damagum and Koshoedo.
The letter, dated May 7, 2025, listed Ezenwafor Jude C. as the PDP’s gubernatorial candidate, with Hon. Okeke Francis Chukwudi as his running mate.
In a press statement on Monday, spokesperson for Nigeria’s opposition lawmakers’ coalition, Hon. Ikenga Imo Ugochinyere, who rejoiced over the development, also raised the alarm over an alleged move by Damagum to send a counter letter to INEC.
According to Ugochinyere, this would undermine Koshoedo’s authority as acting secretary and potentially scuttle the upcoming National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting of the party scheduled for May 27, 2025.
“Let it be known that Sen. Anyanwu’s removal has been formalised by the NWC and INEC has accepted the nomination of the PDP Anambra guber candidate through letters signed by Damagum and the authentic acting secretary, Koshoedo,” Ugochinyere said.
He further warned, “There is an alleged plot by Damagum to secretly send a counter letter to INEC undermining the acting secretary of the party, Arch. Setonji Koshoedo, and aborting the forthcoming NEC meeting.”
The PDP, in a separate letter to INEC dated May 5, 2025, formally informed the Commission of Koshoedo’s appointment as acting National Secretary.
The letter reads in part: “We write to formally inform the Commission that the leadership of our Party, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) at its 600th National Working Committee (NWC) Meeting held on Tuesday, April 29, 2025, resolved and directed that the Deputy National Secretary (DNS), Hon. (Arc) Setonji Koshoedo assume Office as Acting National Secretary till further notice… We therefore wish to officially request that the Commission update its records to reflect this change and please accord the Ag. National Secretary, Hon. (Arc) Setonji Koshoedo all the necessary support to perform his constitutional duties.”
On the Anambra governorship election, the PDP wrote, “We write to inform the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) that Ezenwafor Jude C. is the Peoples Democratic Party’s (PDP’s) gubernatorial candidate for the November 8, 2025, Anambra State gubernatorial election, having emerged winner of the party’s primary in Anambra State monitored by the Commission… Please be also informed that Hon. Okeke Francis Chukwudi is Ezenwafor Jude’s running mate.”
Ugochinyere commended the PDP’s National Working Committee (NWC), Governor Peter Mbah of Enugu State, and Koshoedo for “slamming the door against the traitors,” and revealed that the party is preparing to appoint a substantive secretary from the South East region.
Ugochinyere also reiterated his call for the expulsion of the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, and Senator Anyanwu from the party, accusing them of undermining PDP unity and sabotaging its progress from within.
“Wike and Anyanwu must go. They have consistently worked against the collective interest of the PDP and must be shown the exit door if the party is to survive,” he stated.
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