The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has reinstated Senator Samuel Anyanwu as its National Secretary, effective immediately.
This decision was announced by the party’s Acting National Chairman, Umar Damagum, during a press conference at the PDP national headquarters in Abuja on Wednesday.
The reinstatement comes after a prolonged leadership crisis within the party, sparked by Anyanwu’s attempt to reclaim his position as National Secretary after contesting the Imo State governorship election in 2023.
During his absence, the South East Caucus of the party appointed Sunday Udeh-Okoye, a former National Youth leader, as his replacement.
However, Anyanwu sought to regain his seat upon his return, leading to protracted legal battles.
Anyanwu won the Imo State Governorship Primaries, left his office without formally resigning, and contested the election.
The South East Caucus chose Sunday Udeh-Okoye as his replacement.
Anyanwu lost the election and sought to reclaim his position, but was blocked by some stakeholders from his zone.
The Court of Appeal in Enugu ruled in favour of Udeh-Okoye, but the Supreme Court later squashed the ruling, stating that the party’s internal affairs should determine leadership roles.
Damagum explained that the decision to reinstate Anyanwu was made after a meeting with the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) on Tuesday. INEC had expressed concerns over the party’s internal crisis and insisted that the PDP comply with the Supreme Court judgment concerning the rightful occupant of the national secretary position.
“The survival of the party is more than all of us, more than everything that you feel that you know and yearn for,” Damagum said, appealing to party faithful to support the decision.
“We have decided to abide by the advice they gave us, especially as we have a very important election before us, that is the FCT local government election, and we are running out of time”.
The party’s planned National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting scheduled for June 30 has been canceled and replaced with an expanded Caucus meeting.
Damagum said that the Caucus would discuss the way forward for NEC and make decisions on critical issues leading up to the national convention.
Bauchi State Governor Bala Mohammed, former Senate President Bukola Saraki, and other party stakeholders were present at the press conference, showing support for the decision.
The party’s leadership has been under pressure to restore internal cohesion and project a united front ahead of the 2027 general elections.
