The Board of Trustees (BoT) of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has recognised Hon Sunday Ude-Okoye as national secretary of the party and charged the party’s National Working Committee (NWC) to immediately swear him into the office in obedience to the Judgment of the Court of Appeal.
The BoT made the resolution after its emergency meeting in Abuja, adding that its decision to endorse Ude-Okoye as the party’s secretary followed the exhaustive consideration and adoption of the report of its committee led by Barr. Kabiru Tanimu Turaki.
The BoT also commended the PDP Governors’ Forum, the NWC, South East Executive Committee and all other party organs for upholding the PDP Constitution and operational Guidelines over the matter.
Meanwhile, a PDP youth group has kicked against the BoT’s decision to recognise Udeh-Okoye as national secretary.
The BoT’s position comes barely four days after the PDP Governors Forum also recognised Ude-Okoye for the party position and five days after the BoT meeting was marred by a scuffle between Senator Samuel Anyanwu and Ude-Okoye at Wadata, the national secretariat.
The tussle between Senator Samuel Anyanwu and Hon Sunday Ude-Okoye over who is national secretary of PDP resulted in a physical altercation at last week’s BoT meeting, after one of Anyanwu’s aides attempted to physically stop Ude-Okoye from attending the meeting which he was invited to.
However, the BoT insisted on Ude-Okoye’s attendance at the meeting just as he was ushered to the high table.
As part of its resolutions however the BoT said its committee led by former minister of special duties, Barr Kabiru Tanimu Turaki SAN, to interface with the parties, study the situation and report to the Board for further action.
Reading the communique, the BoT chairman Senator Adolphus Wabara said “The BoT in exercise of its constitutional powers received, exhaustively considered and hereby adopt the report of its committee led by Barr. Kabiru Tanimu Turaki SAN on the issue of the National Secretary of the PDP especially with regard to the declarative judgment of the High Court of Enugu as upheld by the Court of Appeal.
“Consequently, the BoT by adopting the report recognizes Hon. Sunday Udeh-Okoye as the substantive National Secretary of the PDP in full obedience to the declaratory Judgment of the High Court of Enugu as also upheld by the Court of Appeal there being no contrary or overriding judgment from any Court of superior jurisdiction.
“The BoT charges the National Working Committee (NWC) to recognize and immediately swear in Hon. Sunday Udeh-Okoye as the National Secretary of the PDP in obedience to the Judgment of the Court of Appeal.”
The BoT further expressed satisfaction with the PDP Governors’ Forum and the NWC for setting Thursday, March 13th, 2025 as the date for the much-anticipated National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting of our Party.
He said the NEC meeting is the platform for critical deliberations that will shape the future of our party and by extension, the future of Nigeria.
The communique added that the BoT unanimously passed a vote of confidence on Wabara as its chairman and Senator Ahmed Makarfi as its secretary for their “outstanding leadership in piloting the affairs of the BoT and stabilising the party.”
Reacting to the BoT resolution on Ude-Okoye, the PDP Coalition Youth for Good Governance, warned the BoT not to take a position that would undermine a peaceful resolution of the conflict.
They asked the party elders to respect the Court of Appeal order which granted a stay of execution of the Enugu Court of Appeal judgment.
Addressing journalists while reading out their communique, the convener of PDP Coalition Youth for Good Governance, Emmanuel Mba, said it is unfortunate that the party leadership allowed this problem to attain disturbing heights.
He however said, “The Board of Trustees should not take a position that would undermine a peaceful resolution of the conflict by respecting the Court of Appeal order which granted a stay of execution of the Enugu court of Appeal judgement.
“Be warned of a possible contempt of court by recognizing Udeh-Okoye as the National Secretary of the Party. Be cautious in making pronouncements that will result in breach of public peace and safety.
“Allow the court processes to continue so as to resolve the contlict through a constitutional means without interferences and prejudice.
“Respect for the rule of law and decision of court of competent jurisdiction. PDP needs peace at this time to be able function effectively as a credible opposition party that can offer Nigerians good governance,” he said.
