A federal high court in Enugu has declared the national secretary position of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) vacant.
Senator Samuel Anyanwu, who holds the position, is also the PDP’s governorship candidate for the November 11 guber election in Imo State
The court issued an interim order in response to a motion filed by Nwabueze Ugwu, compelling the PDP National Chairman, national secretary, and deputy national chairman to recognize the South East zonal executive committee’s nominee, Sunday Udeh-Okoye, as a replacement for the vacant position.
Sunday Udeh-Okoye will serve as the interim national secretary pending the determination of the Motion on notice.
Anyanwu’s removal was officially sanctioned by the Zonal Executive Council of the party at a meeting in Enugu.
Okoye, a former National Youth Leader of the Party, was affirmed as the replacement for the position during the meeting, which was convened by Governor Peter Mbah of Enugu State and attended by prominent party members.
Before the Enugu meeting, the PDP’s Board of Trustees (BoT) had called for Anyanwu’s resignation as the party’s national secretary.
The BoT cited the party’s constitution, which prohibits a member from holding two positions.
In response to the BoT’s request, Nyesom Wike, Minister of Federal Capital Territory (FCT), expressed disagreement and stated that the BoT lacks the moral authority to decide who can occupy the position of national secretary.
He also noted that the issue of who occupies the position is beyond the BoT’s sphere of authority and influence.
The debate about Anyanwu’s resignation revolves around the interpretation of the PDP’s constitution, particularly Section 48, which deems a party official to have resigned once he or she assumes an executive office at the state or federal government level.
Legal experts offer varying interpretations regarding Senator Anyanwu’s position, emphasizing that it may only become pertinent if he emerges as the governor.
