Politics
PDP Reaffirms Anyanwu As National Secretary Amid Legal Dispute
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has reaffirmed Senator Samuel Anyanwu as its National Secretary, in line with a recent ruling by the Court of Appeal, Abuja Division.
This decision comes amid ongoing legal challenges and leadership disputes within the party.
At a press conference in Abuja on Friday, PDP Deputy National Publicity Secretary Ibrahim Abdullahi addressed the media, confirming that the party is fully committed to respecting the court’s decision.
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He also reassured that the PDP would continue to provide legal representation for the party in the ongoing proceedings, with the next hearing scheduled for January 8 and February 5, 2025.
“In the last few days, issues surrounding the authentic National Secretary of our party have been at the forefront of discussions. On Wednesday, January 15, 2025, we were served with an order of injunction issued by the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Maitama, in a suit instituted by the Imo State PDP Chairman, Hon. Austine Nwachukwu,” Abdullahi stated.
Abdullahi further explained that the injunction, coupled with a stay of execution order from the Court of Appeal (Abuja Division), prohibits the PDP leadership from removing Anyanwu from his position until the Supreme Court makes its final determination.
“Similarly, we were yesterday served with a stay of execution by the Court of Appeal in the judgment of this Court in appeal No. CA/E/24/2024, between Peoples Democratic Party & anor V. Aniagu Emmanuel & 2 Ors. delivered on the 20th day of December 2024, pending the hearing and determination of the appeal filed at the Supreme Court of Nigeria,” Abdullahi added.
The PDP’s internal leadership crisis stems from a dispute over the National Secretary position.
Tensions flared when the PDP’s South East zone nominated former National Youth Leader Sunday Ude-Okoye to replace Anyanwu after he became the party’s governorship candidate for Imo State.
However, a recent ruling by the Court of Appeal affirmed Anyanwu’s continued role as National Secretary until the matter is conclusively resolved.
Abdullahi called on party members to remain patient and respect the court’s directives while awaiting the Supreme Court’s decision.
“We hereby appeal to all PDP members to be restrained and law-abiding in waiting for the final position of the court on this matter,” he said.
The PDP spokesperson emphasized the need for unity within the party despite the ongoing challenges.
“Regardless of this outcome and the feathers ruffled as a result, let us as a party rededicate ourselves to the sacred duty of constitutionalism and adherence to the rule of law,” Abdullahi urged.
He also cautioned members to resist distractions, advising that the party should not fall prey to political maneuvers.
“With several precedents serving as references, we ought to be guided as a party not to fall prey to the antics of our political traducers in and outside of the PDP by playing to the gallery on matters of law and constitutionality,” Abdullahi said.
The next significant legal development is the hearing for the motion on the stay of execution, scheduled for January 27, 2025.
The originating summons will be heard on January 8 and February 5, 2025.
The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has officially kicked off its nationwide elections, marking the start of a major leadership renewal ahead of the party’s National Convention scheduled for April 14, 2026.
In a statement released on Sunday in Abuja, the party’s National Organising Secretary, Prince Chinedu Idigo, and National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, outlined the timetable for the election process.
According to the statement, polling unit and ward congresses will hold on April 7, followed by local government area congresses on April 9 and state congresses on April 11.
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The exercise is part of ADC’s constitutional mandate to refresh its leadership structures across all levels, culminating in the national convention in April. Party members interested in contesting vacant positions have been urged to obtain and submit nomination or expression of interest forms via the official ADC website.
“This process forms part of the party’s constitutional responsibility to renew its leadership structures across all levels of the organisation, culminating in the national convention,” the statement said.
The party also called on members nationwide to participate actively in the congresses and to conduct themselves in accordance with ADC’s constitution, guidelines, and democratic principles.
The nationwide elections are expected to set the stage for a robust leadership team as ADC positions itself strategically ahead of the 2027 general elections.
A former senator representing Sokoto East Senatorial District, Abubakar Umar Gada, has assured members and supporters of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) that the party remains strong and united in Sokoto State despite recent defections by some political figures.
Gada gave the assurance in a statement issued on Thursday in Sokoto, where he urged party loyalists to remain calm, focused and committed to the ideals of the PDP.
According to him, political defections are not unusual in Nigeria’s democratic landscape and should not be seen as a threat to the stability and strength of the party in the state.
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The former lawmaker stressed that the PDP still enjoys a strong grassroots presence in Sokoto, noting that the party’s structure across the state remains intact and capable of delivering electoral victories.
He explained that the strength of the PDP lies in the loyalty and dedication of its members, leaders and supporters who have remained committed to the party through various political challenges.
Gada also pointed out that politics allows individuals the freedom to make personal decisions, but maintained that the PDP as an institution remains resilient and firmly rooted in the aspirations of the people of Sokoto State and Nigeria.
He further disclosed that the party’s national leadership has already initiated measures aimed at strengthening internal unity and consolidating party structures across the country.
According to him, consultations and reconciliation efforts are currently ongoing among key stakeholders to address emerging concerns and reinforce unity within the party.
Gada noted that such engagements are designed to ensure the PDP moves forward with renewed focus, stronger unity and a clear commitment to democratic values.
He recalled that the party has successfully navigated several political challenges in the past and has consistently emerged stronger.
The former senator therefore urged PDP members in Sokoto State to remain steadfast and avoid actions capable of creating divisions within the party.
He also called on supporters to intensify grassroots mobilisation and strengthen party structures across all levels as the party prepares for future political contests.
The lingering intra-party crisis in the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has forced senator representing Sokoto South, Aminu Tambuwal to dump the party for the African Democratic Congress (ADC).
Tambuwal, a former governor of Sokoto State, disclosed this in a resignation letter dated March 11, 2026, addressed to the PDP ward chairman in Tambuwal/Shinfiri Ward of Tambuwal Local Government Area.
The letter, which was made available to journalists on Thursday, said the decision followed consultations with his political associates and supporters.
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“After deep reflection and extensive consultations with my political associates and supporters, I have decided to resign my membership of the Peoples Democratic Party with immediate effect,” Tambuwal stated.
According to the former Speaker of the House of Representatives of Nigeria, lingering disputes and leadership disagreements in the PDP made it increasingly difficult for him to remain in the party.
“The persistent internal crises, leadership disagreements and growing divisions within the party have made it increasingly difficult for me to continue my membership,” he added.
Despite leaving the party, the senator expressed appreciation to the PDP for the opportunities it gave him to serve in different capacities.
“I remain grateful to the party for the platform it provided me to serve Nigeria as Speaker of the House of Representatives and later as Governor of Sokoto State,” he said.
Tambuwal confirmed that he had joined the ADC alongside his political associates and supporters, describing the move as part of efforts to strengthen democratic values and provide a credible political alternative.
“My decision is guided by the conviction that Nigeria requires a stronger political platform built on integrity, accountability, inclusiveness and a clear commitment to national development,” he added.
Tambuwal served as Speaker of the House of Representatives between 2011 and 2015 before emerging governor of Sokoto State in 2015 under the All Progressives Congress (APC). He later defected to the PDP the same year and was re-elected governor in 2019.
After completing his second term in 2023, he was elected to the Nigerian Senate to represent Sokoto South.
His defection to the ADC is expected to alter the political dynamics in Sokoto State, where he remains one of the state’s most influential political figures.
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