Anyanwu dismisses PDP Ibadan convention as ‘mere jamboree’, questions legality
A former National Secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Samuel Anyanwu, has criticised the party’s just-concluded national convention in Ibadan, Oyo State, describing the gathering as an “illegal jamboree” that excluded several key states and violated internal procedures.
Anyanwu spoke during an exclusive interview on Sunday Politics on Channels Television on Sunday, only hours after the party announced his suspension alongside other senior members.
According to the PDP chieftain, the event held from Saturday into the early hours of Sunday, fell short of the standards expected of a nationwide convention.
He argued that many states were not properly represented because they had yet to conduct their ward, local government, and state congresses.
“Sixteen states have not even done their congresses,” he said, adding that “the entire South-East is yet to complete the process.”
He maintained that without properly constituted structures across the federation, the gathering could not be considered legitimate or all-inclusive.
He further alleged that even the congresses concluded earlier in the year had not been formally communicated to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), a requirement he insists was ignored.
The PDP had earlier in the day suspended Anyanwu, along with several others, citing anti-party activities and actions considered detrimental to the party’s cohesion.
The decision followed a motion moved by party elder statesman Bode George and seconded by the Bauchi State chairman, before being adopted by delegates.
The convention also ratified the expulsion of prominent figures including the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike; former Ekiti State governor, Ayodele Fayose; and other long-standing members who have been at odds with the party leadership.
Reacting to the expulsion moves and the celebratory mood at the convention ground, Anyanwu said, “When I heard someone saying we must obey the rules of the party while they were busy celebrating that jamboree, I laughed.
”The rules were not followed from the beginning.”
During the convention, the PDP dissolved its structures in Imo, Abia, Enugu, Akwa Ibom, and Rivers states, further deepening internal tensions already aggravated by conflicting court orders, one permitting the convention to proceed and another seeking to halt it.
The events in Ibadan underscore the widening divisions within the PDP, as factions continue to trade accusations over loyalty, procedure, and the party’s future direction.
Anyanwu insisted he remained committed to due process, arguing that the convention, as conducted, cannot stand scrutiny.
Party leaders, however, have defended the outcome, saying the decisions taken were necessary to restore discipline and steer the organisation toward unity before the next electoral cycle.
