PDP Reinstates Wike Ally, Samuel Anyanwu, as National Secretary Amid Internal Crisis

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has officially reinstated Senator Samuel Anyanwu as its National Secretary, following months of internal wrangling and legal battles over the position.

The announcement was made on Wednesday, June 25, 2025, by the party’s Acting National Chairman, Ambassador Iliya Damagum, during a press briefing in Abuja. Damagum, who was joined by prominent party figures including Bauchi State Governor Bala Mohammed and former Senate President Bukola Saraki, described the decision as “difficult but necessary.”

“This is a critical decision supported by many members of the party and endorsed by party organs,” Damagum said. He also announced the cancellation of a previously planned National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting, adding that an expanded caucus would instead convene on June 30 to chart the next course of action.

Anyanwu’s reinstatement brings temporary closure to a leadership dispute that has divided the PDP since late 2023. The controversy began when Anyanwu, while serving as National Secretary, contested the November 2023 Imo State governorship election without formally stepping down from his party role. His participation in the election triggered the PDP’s South-East zone to nominate Sunday Udeh-Okoye as his replacement in October 2023.

The situation escalated into a full-blown legal tussle, with various lower courts issuing conflicting judgments on who held the rightful claim to the position. However, in March 2025, the Supreme Court dismissed all suits, ruling that the matter was strictly an internal party affair and beyond judicial intervention.

Despite the ruling, the South-East PDP leadership continued to push for Udeh-Okoye’s reinstatement, even threatening to pull out of the party if their nominee was not accepted. Their stance has further highlighted ongoing fractures within the party, especially between factions aligned with different power blocs, including those loyal to former Rivers Governor Nyesom Wike, a known ally of Anyanwu.

The PDP’s decision to back Anyanwu could either unify the party ahead of upcoming political battles or deepen existing regional discontent. All eyes are now on the June 30 extended caucus meeting, where more decisions on the party’s direction are expected to be made.