…No such decision was taken, we’re still in court – Anyanwu

John Alechenu

ABUJA: The National Working Committee (NWC) of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), has formally affirmed Hon. Sunday Udeh-Okoye as the party’s National Secretary.

National Publicity Secretary of the party, Hon. Debo Ologunagba, said this in a statement, in Abuja, on Wednesday.

He said the decision was taken during an NWC meeting which was held in Abuja, on Wednesday..

However, the embattled National Secretary, Samuel Anyanwu dismissed this statement saying there was no meeting the NWC was held to take a decision.

Vanguard gathered that members of the NWC met via WhatsApp and deliberated on memos sent in by the Board of Trustees (BoT) and the PDP Governors Forum, on the long-drawn tussle over the position of National Secretary.

A top ranking party official privy to what transpired explained that, “There was a WhatsApp meeting which the Acting National Chairman, Amb. Umar Damagum chaired.

“The chairman posted the positions of the PDP-GF and the BoT on the issue of National Secretariship and asked for comments.

“There were comments quite alright but a vote was not taken.”

In his statement, Ologunagba said, the NWC at its meeting of Wednesday, February 12, 2025, extensively considered the Memo dated 11th February, 2025 presented by the Acting National Chairman on the issue of the National Secretary of the PDP.”

He further said, “The NWC in considering the Memo thoroughly examined the attached documents namely; the Declaratory Judgement of the High Court of Enugu, the Judgment of the Court of Appeal, Enugu Division which pronounced and declared Rt. Hon. S.K.E Udeh Okoye as the National Secretary of the PDP; the Legal Opinion and Advice by Dr. Kabiru T. Turaki SAN as well as that of the National Legal Adviser of the PDP.

“After due consideration of the Memo and the attachments, the NWC overwhelmingly recognizes, acknowledges and confirms Rt. Hon. S.K.E Udeh Okoye, as the substantive National Secretary of the PDP in full compliance with and obedience to the Judgement of the Court of Appeal, recognizing that there is no subsisting or superseding Judgment or Order from any Court of superior authority or hierarchy.

“The NWC has commenced the transmission of its Resolution/Decision affirming Rt. Hon. S.K.E Udeh Okoye as the PDP National Secretary to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and other relevant bodies for recognition in line with the judgment of the Court of Appeal.

“The NWC commends all Organs, leaders, critical stakeholders and members of the PDP for their steadfastness, respect for the Rule of Law and loyalty to the Party at this critical time.

“The NWC reassures that it will continue to be guided strictly by the provisions of the Constitution of the PDP (as amended in 2017), Operational Guidelines, the Rule of Law and the vision of our founding fathers for the stability and growth of the Party, entrenchment of democracy and wellbeing of Nigerians.”

In response, Anyanwu while dismissing the statement said, “There was no place where the NWC sat and took such a decision. We are all aware that the matter is still before the courts.”