The power struggle within the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) has intensified as governors of the party officially threw their support behind Sunday Ude-Okoye as National Secretary, sidelining Senator Samuel Anyanwu, an ally of Nyesom Wike.
At a meeting in Asaba, Delta State, PDP governors, led by Bala Mohammed, rejected Anyanwu and reaffirmed Ude-Okoye’s position based on an Appeal Court ruling in Enugu.
The governors also instructed the party’s acting chairman, Umar Damagum, to convene a National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting by March 13 to address ongoing leadership issues.
The decision marks a significant shift in party dynamics, as governors who previously aligned with Wike, including Seyi Makinde, have now distanced themselves from him.
A source revealed that the move was carefully planned by governors like Bala Mohammed, Sim Fubara, and Makinde, who now seek greater control over PDP’s affairs. “This is a major setback for Wike, losing the secretary position and even the support of some governors,” the source noted.
The PDP has faced internal leadership struggles since the 2023 elections. The dispute over the National Secretary position intensified when the Enugu Appeal Court ruled in favor of Ude-Okoye on December 20, 2024.
However, on January 27, 2025, the Abuja Appeal Court issued a conflicting ruling, stating that Anyanwu should remain in office until the Supreme Court makes a final decision.
Tensions escalated at a recent party meeting where Anyanwu’s supporters forcefully removed Ude-Okoye, prompting security intervention.
Beyond party politics, the PDP Governors Forum also condemned the Federal Government’s economic policies, blaming them for worsening hardship in Nigeria. They called for urgent policy adjustments to ease the suffering of citizens.
With the March 13 NEC meeting approaching, the battle for control of PDP is set to intensify, and the outcome could redefine the party’s leadership structure ahead of future elections.
