Fight Breaks Out During PDP’s BoT Meeting in Abuja 

Fight Breaks Out During PDP’s BoT Meeting in Abuja

Tensions flared at the onset of the Board of Trustees (BoT) meeting of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) as Samuel Anyanwu and Sunday Ude-Okoye, rivals for the position of National Secretary, clashed.

The PDP, currently grappling with multiple crises, convened the meeting at its National Headquarters on Wednesday.

The meeting was underway with Ambassador Iliya Damagum, the Acting National Chairman, and Anyanwu present when Ude-Okoye arrived.

As Ude-Okoye entered the hall, Senator Adolphus Wabara, the BoT Chairman, was delivering his speech. Ude-Okoye bided his time, waiting for Wabara to finish before he mingled with those at the high table, deliberately avoiding Anyanwu.

However, chaos ensued when suspected thugs forcibly removed Ude-Okoye from the meeting, prompting a confrontation. It was at this moment that journalists were instructed to clear the room for a closed-door session.

Ude-Okoye was seen shouting, rallying his supporters to prevent his expulsion. He later reached the entrance, decrying unfair treatment as Anyanwu’s supporters gained access to the Secretariat while his own were barred.

As this report was filed, Ude-Okoye remained outside, while the meeting continued.

The National Secretary position has been a contentious issue since Anyanwu’s departure to contest for the Imo governorship, a bid he ultimately lost. In his absence, the South East Caucus of the party endorsed Ude-Okoye as his successor.

Since losing the position, Anyanwu’s attempts to reclaim it have plunged the party into further turmoil. On December 20, 2024, an Appeal Court in Enugu upheld a prior High Court ruling that removed Senator Anyanwu as the PDP National Secretary, affirming Ude-Okoye as the legitimate secretary.

Despite this, Anyanwu has filed for a Stay of Execution and Appeal, with Dr. Musa (SAN) appointed by Damagum as the party’s legal counsel, complicating the ongoing impasse.