Battle For PDP Control: Pro- And Anti-Wike Forces Brace For Supreme Court Showdown

Battle For PDP Control: Pro- And Anti-Wike Forces Brace For Supreme Court Showdown

The power struggle within the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has intensified following the Supreme Court’s ruling on Friday, which significantly strengthened the influence of Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister, Nyesom Wike……..READ MORE 

According to Naija News, Wike’s supporters are celebrating the verdict that secured control of the Rivers State House of Assembly for his loyalists. Meanwhile, his opponents within the PDP leadership remain anxious as they await the Supreme Court’s ruling on the party’s National Secretary position.

The ongoing dispute pits Senator Samuel Anyanwu, a Wike ally, against Hon. Sunday Udeh-Okoye, who has the backing of the PDP Governors’ Forum and the party’s Board of Trustees (BoT). The Supreme Court is set to hear Anyanwu’s appeal on March 10, challenging his removal from office, which was previously upheld by the Court of Appeal.

One of the major points of contention is the push by the PDP Governors’ Forum and the BoT for the National Working Committee (NWC), led by Ambassador Umar Ilyas Damagum, to convene a National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting by March 13.

The last PDP NEC meeting was held on April 18, 2024. Although another meeting was initially scheduled for October 2024, it was postponed indefinitely. The renewed push for a March 13 meeting has heightened tensions, particularly with the National Secretary position still unresolved.

Anyanwu, through his legal counsel Ken Njemanze (SAN), argues that his removal was unlawful, alleging that fraudulent documents were used against him in court. He also maintains that the PDP’s constitution guarantees a four-year single term for party officials, making his ouster illegal.

Sources indicate that certain power blocs within the PDP are strategizing to remove both Anyanwu and Damagum, should the Supreme Court rule against Anyanwu. They reportedly plan to use the NEC meeting to push Damagum out as Acting National Chairman.

“We are all waiting for the March 10 ruling. If it goes as expected, we will be able to replace them (Damagum and Anyanwu) and reposition the party,” an anonymous BoT member told The Nation.

Wike’s allies have gained additional confidence from a recent Federal High Court ruling in Abakaliki, which upheld the expulsion of Chief Ali Odefa, the former PDP Vice Chairman (South East). Odefa was a key supporter of Udeh-Okoye’s bid for the National Secretary position.

Additionally, on Monday, Justice Inyang Ekwo of the Federal High Court in Abuja granted Anyanwu’s request to prevent the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) from recognizing his removal as PDP’s National Secretary.

Amidst this legal battle, PDP leaders remain cautious, particularly with the Anambra State governorship election set for November 8, 2025. While tensions persist, the party has refrained from allowing Udeh-Okoye to sign official documents, despite pressure from certain stakeholders.

As the rivalry between the Wike and Atiku Abubakar factions escalates, divisions have deepened within the PDP National Secretariat. In a striking development, the party recently rejected a letter introducing the newly elected South-South Zonal Working Committee, led by Chief Dan Orbih, a known Wike loyalist, after a congress in Cross River State.

The letter, addressed to Senator Anyanwu as National Secretary, was repeatedly stamped as “rejected mail” by the PDP Directorate of Mobilization upon its arrival—further evidence of the growing discord within the party’s leadership.