In a stunning development that has sent shockwaves through the party’s ranks, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has officially confirmed, via a Supreme Court judgment, that Rt. Hon. SKE Udeh-Okoye is its National Secretary. According to a statement from the PDP’s National Working Committee (NWC) reported by ThisDay Nigeria, the apex court ruled that leadership positions within the party—including the office of the National Secretary—are strictly an internal matter and must be resolved through the party’s statutory processes as outlined in the PDP Constitution (amended in 2017).
The NWC’s statement reads in part:
“The judgment affirms that the issue of Party leadership positions is entirely an internal affair, and courts have no jurisdiction over these matters. Rt. Hon. SKE Udeh-Okoye was duly nominated, endorsed, and ratified in accordance with the internal mechanisms of the PDP.”
However, this ruling has ignited a fierce controversy within the party. A pro-Wike faction of the PDP has broken its silence to claim that, contrary to the official stance, a different candidate—Anyanwu—was declared as authentic by the Supreme Court. These dissenting voices argue that the apex court’s decision supports their candidate’s legitimacy in holding the National Secretary position. They maintain that Anyanwu’s nomination was the result of a more transparent internal process and better reflects the will of the party’s grassroots supporters.
Critics of the pro-Wike faction contend that the Supreme Court’s decision unequivocally endorsed Udeh-Okoye as the rightful officeholder. They argue that any interpretation suggesting otherwise is a deliberate misrepresentation intended to serve factional interests. The official NWC and its supporters have denounced the alternative claim as an attempt to destabilize party unity and undermine the constitutional processes that govern PDP leadership appointments.
The controversy highlights a deeper rift within the PDP, with factions not only disputing the legitimacy of the National Secretary but also questioning the overall transparency of the party’s internal leadership mechanisms. While the official position calls for strict adherence to the party’s constitutional framework, the pro-Wike group insists that the judgment validates their candidate Anyanwu’s authenticity.
As the debate intensifies, stakeholders across the party are calling for a broader dialogue to reconcile these divergent interpretations of the Supreme Court ruling. The fallout from this internal leadership battle threatens to have far-reaching implications for the PDP’s unity ahead of forthcoming electoral challenges. Observers note that this controversy could further complicate an already volatile political landscape, prompting calls for calm and an immediate return to constitutional procedures.
With both sides passionately defending their interpretations, the issue now stands as a stark reminder that in the battle for leadership legitimacy, the PDP remains deeply divided—a division that could shape the party’s fortunes in the coming months.