Samuel Anyanwu, a senior chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), has directly blamed the PDP Governors’ Forum for the ongoing turmoil within the party, asserting that party governors are primarily responsible for its current instability.
Speaking on Channels Television’s political programme, Politics Today, on Monday, Anyanwu insisted that he cannot be held accountable for the party’s challenges, noting that the Governors’ Forum had previously sought to amend the party constitution to formally recognise their body as an organ of the PDP.
“The truth of the matter is that I will hold the Governors’ Forum responsible for whatever is happening to the party today,” Anyanwu said on Monday.
Anyanwu added that, while he had fulfilled his role in trying to stabilize the party, several founding members had defected due to the party’s deteriorating condition.
He also questioned the influence of the Governors’ Forum on the party’s direction, asking pointedly, “Governors’ Forum; they wanted the constitution amended to include it as an organ. So who is killing the party?”
Describing himself as a “custodian of the party,” Anyanwu accused many PDP governors of engaging in what he termed “backyard politics,” warning them against using their financial contributions as leverage to manipulate the party’s structure.
“I will tell the governors to leave the party alone. Because you produce funds does not mean you should ruin the party.
”The founding fathers who have reached above 80 years should go home and relax,” he said.
Anyanwu dismissed his recent expulsion from the PDP as illegitimate, labeling the process illegal and asserting that it could not be contested in court.
He directly accused PDP governors of orchestrating internal conflicts and even engaging in negotiations with the rival All Progressives Congress (APC) to further destabilize the party.
Rejecting assertions that the PDP had collapsed, Anyanwu maintained that the party’s structures remain functional across wards, councils, and states.
“PDP is not dead, and PDP cannot die. Even if somebody is in an intensive care unit, the person can still recover,” he said.
He also defended his ongoing personal and political ties with Nyesom Wike, despite public criticism.
Anyanwu clarified that while he did not participate in the G5 faction led by Wike, Seyi Makinde, Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, Okezie Ikpeazu, and Samuel Ortom, he maintained a strong working relationship with them.
“When the PDP was in ruins, it was Wike who resurrected the party. He insisted the FCT minister had not abandoned the PDP,” he added.
Anyanwu also condemned the recent PDP national convention in Ibadan, describing it as “a jamboree” that lacked inclusivity.
He pointed out that sixteen states, including the entire Southeast region, had not conducted their congresses or properly communicated results to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
The convention, which took place between Saturday and Sunday amid conflicting court orders, resulted in the expulsion of 11 prominent party members, including Wike, Ayodele Fayose, and Anyanwu, over alleged anti-party activities.
Party elder Bode George moved the motion for expulsion, seconded by Bauchi PDP chairman, with Governor Bala Mohammed putting the measure to a unanimous vote.
In addition, the convention dissolved party structures in Imo, Abia, Enugu, Akwa Ibom, and Rivers states. Some governors, including Ahmadu Fintiri and Caleb Mutfwang, opposed the expulsions, warning that the actions could escalate internal tensions.
Kabiru Turaki (SAN) emerged as the new PDP National Chairman after securing 1,516 out of 1,834 votes.
Turaki pledged to restore party unity, promote transparency, end internal impunity, and reconcile aggrieved members, while Solarin Adekunle was elected Deputy National Organising Secretary.
Despite these internal conflicts, Anyanwu reaffirmed his belief in the party’s resilience, asserting that the PDP can recover from its current challenges.
