Politics
PDP factional secretaries set for showdown, vow to resume today
- /home/naijuinz/public_html/wp-content/plugins/mvp-social-buttons/mvp-social-buttons.php on line 27
https://naijablitznews.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/download.png&description=PDP factional secretaries set for showdown, vow to resume today', 'pinterestShare', 'width=750,height=350'); return false;" title="Pin This Post">
- Share
- Tweet /home/naijuinz/public_html/wp-content/plugins/mvp-social-buttons/mvp-social-buttons.php on line 72
https://naijablitznews.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/download.png&description=PDP factional secretaries set for showdown, vow to resume today', 'pinterestShare', 'width=750,height=350'); return false;" title="Pin This Post">
The crisis in the Peoples Democratic Party may escalate following the planned resumption in office by the two factional secretaries – Sunday Ude-Okoye and Samuel Anyanwu – on Monday (today).
Ude-Okoye and Anyanwu informed The PUNCH in separate interviews on Sunday that they would return to their duties at the PDP National Headquarters, Wadata Plaza, Abuja, today.
The Court of Appeal affirmed Okoye as the PDP national secretary in a recent judgment, but the erstwhile scribe Anyanwu refused to accept the verdict, insisting that he is still the recognised party secretary.
The development has further polarised the party with top officials supporting either of the two men.
Findings revealed that the development has deepened the divide within the National Working Committee, with at least 12 NWC members and some governors currently supporting Ude-Okoye, while others remain loyal to Anyanwu.
The opposition party had been embroiled in a crisis since the 2023 election, with many party members blaming the Acting National Chairman, Umar Damagum, an ally of former Rivers State Governor Nyesom Wike, for the turmoil.
The crisis has had a significant impact on all levels and structures within the party.
The latest crisis started in 2023 when the South-East zone nominated Ude-Okoye, a former National Youth Leader, to replace Anyanwu after he was selected as the party’s candidate for the Imo State governorship election.
The South-East PDP leadership argued that Anyanwu was no longer the national secretary, having emerged as the candidate for the Imo election.
However, Ude-Okoye’s nomination as national secretary led to legal disputes, resulting in two contradictory court rulings.
On December 20, 2024, the Court of Appeal upheld an Enugu High Court decision, which had previously confirmed Ude-Okoye’s nomination as Anyanwu’s successor.
Armed with the judgment, Okoye arrived at the party headquarters in Abuja on December 31, 2024, to assume office.
But Anyanwu ordered the closure of the PDP National Secretariat to party officials, including journalists, till January 13.
The development almost led to a breach of the peace as supporters of the factional secretaries nearly engaged in a violent clash.
During the incident, a correspondent with The SUN, Ndubuisi Orji, was assaulted by Emmanuel Okoronkwo, a party official loyal to the ousted national secretary.
Speaking to our correspondent, Ude-Okoye maintained that, going by the appeal court’s ruling, he is the rightful national secretary.
The factional secretary dismissed any possibility of a showdown, emphasizing that there is no division within the NWC.
Responding to questions about an alleged threat by some people to attack party leaders over the tussle, Ude-Okoye said, “Now, if someone truly loves the party, would they plan to destroy it? Would they attempt to scatter the secretariat of the party? If someone knows they are the national secretary, why would they try to destroy their own office?
“But that is for the person planning such things to answer. I cannot be dancing naked in the market with a mad person because, by doing so, I would be mad as well.
“People know when someone is right and when they are just trying to destroy something. When someone is acting as an agent, I am not an agent. I am a PDP member. I am the national secretary, and I will remain the national secretary. I will never come to destroy anything in the PDP.”
In an interview with The PUNCH, the former youth leader stated that his meeting with party leaders on Sunday evening would shape his schedule for the week.
However, he reaffirmed that, as the secretary, he would resume his duties and be at the party headquarters today, if necessary.
“I will have a meeting with the leaders of the party this evening, and that will shape what I am going to do for the week, starting tomorrow. I have resumed my duties and I will be in the office anytime I need to,’’ he noted.
On his part, Anyanwu asserted that he remains the secretary, having filed a stay of execution in court.
In an exclusive interview with our correspondent, Anyanwu confirmed that he would resume today, dispelling fears of violence.
He stated “Obviously, they know what a stay of execution means—it means the status quo remains the same. There’s nothing to discuss about it.
“The party will resume tomorrow (today), and I will go straight to my office. Is there anything that will stop me if I say I want to resume? I will resume if I want to resume.”
In response to questions about a possible showdown, Anyanwu said, “For me, what is important is our party, the PDP. This party is a party of law, and I have filed my case in the Supreme Court. With the stay of execution, we will continue our work and unite our party.
All these interests are about 2027. Everyone should calm down; it is only God who gives power.”
Weighing in on the crisis, the PDP Board of Trustees Chairman, Adolphus Wabara, emphasized the importance of obeying the court judgment to prevent anarchy.
The former Senate president, who confirmed that the BoT was aware of the developments surrounding the national secretary’s office, encouraged anyone dissatisfied with the judgment to appeal to the Supreme Court.
He stated “The BoT has been briefed. We are a party of the rule of law, and we will obey the judgment. We will obey the judgment, whether seen as good or bad, fair or unfair; we will obey it.
“Anything that comes from the court must be obeyed. So, if by tomorrow there is a contrary judgment, we will obey it to avoid anarchy. The PDP is a party of law and a party of constitutionality.
“So, my advice to every member of the party is that we must obey the judgment to avoid further issues. Until there is another judgement from the Supreme Court, members and party must obey this (Appeal Court verdict).”
In a remark, the PDP National Publicity Secretary, Debo Ologunagba, reaffirmed that in accordance with the Appeal Court’s Enugu judgment, Ude-Okoye remains the party secretary.
Ologunagba, who described the PDP as a law-abiding party, stated that the party was not aware of any stay of execution.
He added that the NWC, governors, and the Board of Trustees have all been briefed and collectively recognized Ude-Okoye as the party scribe.
Ologunagba said, “We are implementing the judgment. Ude-Okoye has met with the Governors Forum, the Board of Trustees, and he has been introduced as such.
“So, we must comply with the judgment, as I said. As a party, the judgment is very clear to us. PDP abides by the judgment because we are a rule-of-law-compliant party, and tomorrow if there are any court processes that direct otherwise, we will follow them.
“As I speak with you, to my knowledge, the party has not received any stay of execution. The party has not been served anything contrary, and that is the position as I speak with you.”
Responding to a question about a possible confrontation today, Ologunagba pointed out, ‘’Anybody who is truly a party man, who believes in the rule of law and respects court judgments, would, in the interest of peace and justice, abide by the judgment. So, nobody should resort to self-help, and we must do what is right at any particular time.
“Regardless of what anybody does or says, this party will obey the judgment because we don’t have the power to review it. And if there is another contrary judgment that supersedes this, we will also comply as a law-abiding party.”
Meanwhile, the PDP Deputy National Youth Leader, Timothy Osadolor, and former Deputy National Publicity Secretary, Diran Odeyemi, have called for calm.
The National Executive Council members warned that if the tussle over was not handled carefully, it could exacerbate the party’s problems.
Osadolor in an interview with our correspondent stated, “The matter is a serious issue, and if not properly managed, it could degenerate into a complex one. However, I am certain that there will be no showdown.
“You see, the PDP is a very organic party that has internal structures and mechanisms. And above all, it’s a law-abiding party. So, it’s a clear-cut issue. There will be no showdown.
“The truth is this: I am a member of the NWC, but I am sick and tired of the internal crisis within the NWC. If we cannot come together as one, I think this NWC should come up with a solution so that there will be peace in this party, and this country can have peace by extension.
“The truth is that those members still fighting, I don’t know who they are fighting for or whose interests they are serving. But if we believe we are here to represent the overall interests of Nigerians, then we should close ranks and help Nigerians move forward in the process of development.”
Odeyemi sued for peace, saying, “This is the time for every member of the party to come together. The issue regarding the national secretary is very sensitive, and if care is not taken, it could escalate the crisis in the party.
“My best advice to both camps is to follow the line of the Constitution, considering the interpretations and implications of the judgment. I appeal to both of them to pursue peace and avoid escalating matters within the PDP.”
Credit: PUNCH
The Nigerian Democratic Congress, NDC, Presidential Candidate for the 2027 election, Peter Obi, has advised President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to consider resigning his position, having failed woefully in discharging most of his campaign promises. And having failed to improve the standard of living of the citizens.
Reacting to the announcement of the British Prime Minister’s resignation, which is not unconnected with the complaints of British citizens about their deteriorating standard of living under his watch, Obi, in a tweet he titled “owning up to Leadership Failures and Political Responsibility”, advised Tinubu to emulate the British PM and save the country from the worsening economic situation.
Writing on his X handle, the 2023 Labour Party presidential flagbearer said, “This morning, I listened to the British Prime Minister’s speech announcing his planned resignation in July. As a keen observer of global politics, my primary interest lies in examining what successful nations do right and the structural factors that cause others to lag or struggle with governance and development.
“The Prime Minister’s planned resignation comes amid mounting public frustration over a stagnant economy, a worsening cost-of-living crisis, and a perceived failure to honour key campaign pledges.
“Looking inward in our dear country, we can recall our own situation. Before 2015, our President on several occasions championed the call for the then President Goodluck Jonathan to resign over economic hardship and insecurity affecting Nigerians. During the Chibok school kidnapping incident, he demanded the immediate resignation of President Jonathan, arguing that the government had failed in its most fundamental duty of protecting lives.
“During the 2023 election campaign, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu made several promises, including improved electricity supply. He also challenged the electorate not to vote for him for a second term if he failed to deliver on those commitments—particularly in providing stable power, fighting corruption, and improving the welfare of Nigerians.
“At present, however, these conditions have worsened. Electricity supply remains unreliable, insecurity has intensified in many areas, including kidnappings, and economic hardship has deepened rather than eased. Similar concerns are reflected across other critical sectors such as security, infrastructure, transportation, and anti-corruption efforts, all of which have regressed. We are in the worst possible condition.
“I, therefore, join Nigerians of goodwill in calling for the resignation of the President over monumental failure in governance. Such a gesture would help enthrone a political culture rooted in accountability and responsibility, rather than further entrenching impunity. It would also send a powerful message that public office is a sacred trust, not an entitlement, and help build a society in which future leaders understand that failure carries consequences. Only by ending the culture of impunity can we secure a better future for the society our children will inherit in a New Nigeria that is possible”
Chief Ikeje Asogwa, the candidate of the All Progressives Congress, APC, has emerged the winner of the June 20, 2026 Enugu North Senatorial District by-election.
Asogwa polled 162,360 votes to defeat his closest rival, Chief Nestor Ezeme of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, who scored 9,299 votes.
The by-election was conducted to replace late Senator Okey Ezea, who was representing the district at the time he died on November 18, 2025, at the age of 62.
Announcing the result on Sunday in Nsukka, the Returning Officer of the election, Prof Christian Ezeibe, the Dean, Department of Students Affairs at University of Nigeria Nsukka, UNN, said Asogwa scored the highest votes in the election to emerge the winner.
“Asogwa having satisfied the requirements of the law in this election is hereby declared the winner and is returned.
“I thank you all for your cooperation, support and maturity that made the by-election a success,” he said.
According to Ezeibe, the number of registered voters in Enugu North Senatorial District was 727, 340 while 184,094 were accredited in the election.
A breakdown of the result scored by five other candidates showed that Chika Idoko Emmanuel of the African Democratic Party, ADC, polled 1,676 votes while Kingsley Aneke of Boot Party, BP, got 1607 votes.
Other candidates are Ejike Simon Eze of Labour Party, LP, 1,027 votes, OssElias Okwudiri Ossai of the Nigerian Democratic Congress, NDC, 3,129 votes and Charles Ugochukwu of the Peoples Redemption Party, PRP, 667 votes.
In his acceptance speech, Asogwa, the senator elect, said the outcome reflected the overwhelming support of the residents of the six local government areas that made up the Enugu North Senatorial Zone.
He promised to give the senatorial zone quality and effective representation to justify the massive support and confidence residents had expressed through their votes.
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has announced the candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Biodun Oyebanji, as the winner of the 2026 Ekiti State governorship election.
The Returning Officer for the Ekiti State governorship election, Adenike Oladiji, who declared the results at about 3:13 a.m. on Sunday, said that Oyebanji polled 319,224 votes.
Oladiji, a professor and Vice-Chancellor of the Federal University of Technology, said that the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Oluwole Oluyede, scored 40,543 votes, while Dare Bejide of the African Democratic Party (ADP) polled 12,872 votes.
According to her, a total of 384,940 voters were accredited for the election, with 375,777 valid votes, 6,332 rejected votes, and total votes cast.
Voting, which began at about 8:31 a.m, ended officially at 2:30 p.m. on Saturday, with more than 300,000 voters casting their ballots.
INEC has declared Biodun Oyebanji of the APC as the winner of the 2026 Ekiti State governorship election.
The Returning Officer for the election, Professor Adenike Oladiji, said the incumbent governor polled 319,224 votes.
She also said that while the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Oluwole Oluyede, scored 40,543 votes, Dare Bejide of the African Democratic Party (ADP) polled 12,872 votes.
2:25 a.m.
Following the conclusion of the collation of results from the 16 LGAs, the Returning Officer for the Ekiti State governorship election and Vice-Chancellor of the Federal University of Technology, Professor Adenike Oladiji, says that the results will be transferred to the Form EC8D.
2:22 a.m.
Moba LGA
ADC- 994
APC – 20,500
PDP – 1,572
2:19 a.m.
Ekiti East
ADC- 1,730
APC – 26,359
PDP – 2,795
2:15 a.m.
Irepodun/Ifelodun LGA
ADC- 511
APC – 29,278
PDP – 2,119
The collation officer said that the result from one of the polling units was cancelled due to over-voting.
2:08 a.m.
Ikole LGA
ADC- 812
APC – 26,508
PDP – 750
2:04 a.m.
Aiyekire (Gbonyin) LGA
ADC- 314
APC – 17,133
PDP – 1,563
1:52 a.m.
Oye LGA
ADC- 998
APC – 18,975
PDP – 2,891
1:49 a.m.
Ise/Orun LGA
ADC- 365
APC – 12,908
PDP – 1,627
1:40 a.m.
Ilejemeje LGA
ADC- 579
APC – 8,984
PDP – 1,243
1:37 a.m.
Ado Ekiti LGA
ADC- 1,054
APC – 38,026
PDP – 3,817
1:31 a.m.
Ekiti West LGA
ADC- 674
APC – 28,258
PDP – 3,644
1:26 a.m.
Ido-Osi LGA
ADC- 561
APC – 17,901
PDP – 1,449
1:22 a.m.
Ekiti South-West LGA
ADC- 1,076
APC – 14,705
PDP – 1,800
1:13 a.m.
Ikere LGA
ADC- 245
APC – 11,116
PDP – 9,892
1:12 a.m.
Ijero LGA
ADC- 2,026
APC – 25,506
PDP – 2,479
1 a.m.
Efon LGA
ADC- 201
APC – 8,742
PDP – 2051
12:59 a.m.
Emure LGA
ADC – 732
APC – 14,325
PDP – 851
12:57 a.m. The announcement of results from the LGAs has begun.
12:37 a.m. The Returning Officer for the Ekiti State governorship election is the Vice-Chancellor of the Federal University of Technology, Professor Adenike Oladiji.
12:35 a.m. INEC has begun the collation of results of the Ekiti State governorship election. The exercise is taking place in Ado Ekiti, the state capital.
11:51 p.m. As of 11:50 p.m., 97.18 per cent of the Ekiti State governorship election results have been uploaded on the INEC IReV portal. Results have been submitted from 2,376 out of 2,445 polling units.
9:27 p.m. The Resident Electoral Commissioner in Ekiti State, Bunmi Omoseyindemi, has said that the official collation of the governorship election results from the LGAs will commence at 10 p.m. on Saturday.
9:21 p.m. The Resident Electoral Commissioner, Bunmi Omoseyindemi, has explained that 19 political parties were contained in the ballot paper for the Ekiti election to avoid the financial cost of printing fresh ballot papers due to court orders.
8:32 p.m. Shogunle also says one person was arrested for ballot box snatching during the election.
8:23 p.m. Commissioner of Police in charge of security for the Ekiti State governorship election, Abayomi Shogunle, says the police have not received any report of vote buying in the exercise so far.
7:59 p.m. Yiaga Africa’s Samson Itodo says 24 incidents of violence were reported across 10 local government areas during the ongoing Ekiti State governorship election.
4:35 p.m. INEC has commenced the upload of polling unit results from the Ekiti State governorship election to its Result Viewing Portal (IReV), after the official close of voting.
As of 6p.m. on Saturday, the commission had uploaded 846 results out of the 2,445 expected polling unit results, representing 34.60 per cent of the total.
4:30 p.m. INEC says that all 2,445 PUs were successfully opened for the governorship election earlier in the day. According to the body, 2,257 PUs (92.31 per cent) opened on schedule before 8:30 a.m, while 188 PUs (7.69 per cent) experienced minor delays but commenced voting before 10:30 a.m.
4 p.m. Voting was still ongoing as of 4 p.m. at Polling Unit 006, where the PDP candidate cast his vote, as some of the voters insisted that they must exercise their civic responsibility.
3:35 p.m. Channels Television correspondent provides an update on the election as collation begins at different polling units in the state.
3:40 p.m. Chairman of the Ekiti All Progressives Congress (APC) Campaign Organisation and Governor of Kaduna State, Uba Sani, has said that the outcome of today’s governorship election will be a referendum on the performance of the President Bola Tinubu government, its acceptance, and the popularity of the party in Ekiti State.
3:13 p.m. Yiaga Africa urges citizens and stakeholders to keep a close eye on the preparedness, transparency, and neutrality in the Ekiti State governorship election.
2:43 p.m. Sorting of votes has commenced at Polling Unit 001, Ado D Ijigbo in Ado LGA. Various party agents and security agents are currently monitoring the exercise.
2:37 p.m. Sorting and counting commenced at Polling Unit 008, Ugele/Arokun ward, Ikere Local Government Area.
But the exercise became rowdy at the polling unit as party officials and members argued over the validity of ballot papers.
1:50 p.m. Social Democratic Party candidate Olugbenga Obafemi has cast his vote in Ekiti governorshjip election.
12:31 p.m. Candidate of the APC and incumbent governor Oyebanji has dismissed allegations of voter harassment and intimidation raised by the PDP’s Oluyede, describing the conduct of the election as satisfactory.
Speaking with journalists after casting his vote at Polling Unit 003, Okelele, Ikogosi-Ekiti in Ekiti West Local Government Area, the governor, who was accompanied by his wife, Olayemi, said anyone making such allegations must provide evidence to substantiate their claims.
He urged eligible voters who had yet to vote to come out and discharge their civic responsibility peacefully.
11:05 A voter and resident of Ikogosi, Fatokun Babatunde, commends INEC and security agencies for the peaceful and orderly conduct of the election process so far.
He also urges the people of Ekiti State to reject violence and uphold peace, stressing that despite political differences, they remain one people united by a common heritage and shared future.
10:19 a.m. Polling Unit 003 in Ikogosi, Ekiti West Local Government Area, awaits the arrival of the APC governorship candidate and incumbent governor, Biodun Oyebanji, who is expected to cast his ballot shortly.
Channels TV correspondent Eyitope Kuteyi reports a surging crowd at the polling unit, alongside a heavy security presence comprising personnel of the Nigerian Army and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC).
10:10 a.m. Africa Democratic Congress candidate Dare Bejide has cast his vote in the ongoing Ekiti State governorship election.
Bejide, however, raised concerns about alleged vote buying
10 a.m. An observer and First Vice President of the Nigerian Bar Association, Sebastian Anyia, says the election process has so far been peaceful and orderly, with voter turnout proving encouraging.
He expresses optimism that the smooth conduct witnessed will be sustained across all 16 local government areas until the conclusion of the exercise.
9:58 a.m. The PDP governorship candidate, Oluwole Oluyede, has cast his vote in the ongoing Ekiti State governorship election.
He voted in polling unit 006 in Ugele/Arokun ward, Ikere LGA.
Oluwole expressed dissatisfaction with the conduct of the exercise, saying that most voters at his polling unit had yet to cast their votes due to a problem with the BVAS.
9:56 a.m. Peoples Democratic Party candidate Oluwole Oluyede has arrived at his polling unit in Ikere LGA to ast his vote in the ongoing Ekiti State governorship election.
2027: Be Prepared to struggle for power, Wike tells PDP candidates
NUJ raises the alarm over insecurity, open grazing
Court remands Maiduguri businessmen over N13.6m fraud
-
News19 hours agoDAY 11 of Projects Commissioning in the FCT: TInubu set to commission Kuje, Gwagwalada road today
-
News19 hours agoPhotos: Police Block Truck Conveying 47 Sacks Of Camouflage & Drugs In Lagos
-
News19 hours agoBREAKING: El-Rufai arrives in court under heavy security for trial over alleged financial crimes
-
News20 hours ago
DAY 11 of Projects Commissioning in the FCT
-
News14 hours agoJUST IN: Senate passes Police Bill
-
News15 hours agoKuje-Gwagwalada Road Was a Death Trap for Decades, Tinubu Declares as He Commissions Phase I Dual Carriageway (Photos)
-
Economy19 hours agoSEE Black Market Dollar To Naira Exchange Rate Today 24th June 2026
-
News19 hours agoJUST IN: Obasanjo is alive, hale, hearty not dead– Reports
Warning: Undefined variable $user_ID in /home/naijuinz/public_html/wp-content/themes/zox-news/comments.php on line 49
You must be logged in to post a comment Login