The Apex Leader of the Concerned PDP League has condemned what it describes as an undemocratic attempt to impose a national secretary on the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) without waiting for the Supreme Court’s ruling on the matter.
Addressing a press conference in Abuja on Monday, the leader of the group, Daboikiabo Warmate, accused certain PDP governors, members of the National Working Committee (NWC) and Board of Trustees (BoT), as well as expelled party members, of orchestrating the move to install an unqualified candidate in defiance of ongoing legal proceedings.
The NWC, BoT and PDP governors had recognised Hon Sunday Ude-Okoye as national secretary of PDP, rejecting Senator Samuel Anyanwu’s claim to the position following an Appeal Court ruling.
Ude-Okoye has since resumed office following the Supreme Court denial of Anyanwu’s stay of execution plea against the Appeal Court order. However, the Apex Court is expected to rule on the substance of the case in future.
But Warmate said efforts to recognise Ude-Okoye amounts to political blackmail against the Supreme Court justices and an attempt to subvert due process.
He noted that even the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) had advised waiting for the Supreme Court’s pronouncement before any action on the PDP national secretaryship dispute.
Warmate questioned the urgency behind the push to replace Senator Samuel Anyanwu with Hon Sunday Ude-Okoye, arguing that the party should abide by the legal process.
He cited a recent Court of Appeal ruling (Appeal No. CA/E/24/2024), which issued an interim injunction directing all parties to maintain the status quo ante bellum until the matter is resolved.
“The Supreme Court has instructed all parties to await its judgment. So why are these governors and their allies in the NWC and BoT rushing to install someone who has been accused of violating party guidelines and disrupting meetings?” he said.
Warmate also criticised PDP’s South East leadership, alleging that it had failed to unite the region and was instead focused on sidelining Anyanwu.
He further warned that the party risks destabilisation if it continues to prioritise personal political ambitions over party unity.
The Concerned PDP League urged party stakeholders to exercise patience and allow the Supreme Court to determine the rightful occupant of the National Secretary position.
It called on PDP members, both in Nigeria and the diaspora, to reject any illegal maneuvers that could weaken the party ahead of future elections.
“The Supreme Court’s ruling will determine the next steps. Until then, Senator Anyanwu remains the National Secretary, and any attempt to replace him before the verdict is a violation of party principles,” Warmate emphasised.
At the time of filing this report, the PDP has yet to issue an official response to the allegations. However, internal tensions within the party continue to escalate, raising concerns about its stability in the run-up to future political contests.
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