Politics

PDP crisis: Anyanwu asks DSS, police to enforce Appeal Court order

Published

1 year ago

February 2, 2025

Senator Samuel Anyanwu

PDP crisis: Anyanwu asks DSS, police to enforce Appeal Court order

The embattled National Secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Senator Samuel Anyanwu, yesterday took his case to the Police and the Department of State Services (DSS), 24 hours after the PDP Governors Forum decided to support his rival for the office, Sunday Ude-Okoye.

Anyanwu sought the intervention of the security agencies and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) to enforce the January 13, 2025 order of the Court of Appeal directing all the parties involved in his case to “maintain status quo ante bellum pending the determination of the substantive application.”

In effect, he wants security protection to enable him access his office at the PDP National Secretariat to continue to carry out his duties as opposed to Ude-Okoye.

Anyanwu has already filed an appeal at the Supreme Court to overturn the December 20, 2024 judgment of the Court of Appeal that Ude-Okoye should replace him (Anyanwu) as National Secretary.

The PDP Governors’ Forum, during its Friday meeting in Asaba, hinged its decision to back Ude-Okoye on the December ruling.

The governors directed the National Working Committee (NWC) to abide by and implement the court’s decision.

However, Anyanwu, in his first reaction to the governors’ position late Friday insisted that he remained the National Secretary of the party, having obtained a stay of execution on the Court of Appeal’s decision.

He said the Asaba communiqué on his status was nothing to worry about.

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But yesterday, he sent a petition to the Inspector General of Police, asking for the deployment of armed security personnel at the party’s national secretariat to enforce the Court of Appeal’s order on maintaining the status quo ante bellum and to forestall a breakdown of law and order.

Copies of the petition were sent to the Director General of the DSS, the Comptroller General of the NSCDC, President of the Court of Appeal and the Chief Justice of Nigeria through the Supreme Court.

Anyanwu, in the petition entitled Security Alert: The Advice of PDP Governors Forum to the National Working Committee of the Peoples Democratic Party an Invitation to Chaos and Affront to the Rule Of Law,” drew the attention of the police to what he called an urgent need to “take note of Paragraph 3 of the communique issued by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Governors’ Forum after their meeting which took place in Asaba, Delta State on Friday, January 31, 2025.”

He said: “In the quoted Paragraph 3 of the communique, the Forum advised the NWC to set up machinery for the implementation of the Enugu Court of Appeal judgment which favoured the nomination of SKD Ude -Okoye as the National Secretary of the party.

“The police should be aware that an appeal has been filed in the Supreme Court against the quoted judgment; furthermore, the Court of Appeal sitting in Abuja granted an order on January 13, 2025, clearly directing both parties to maintain status quo ante bellum pending the determination of the substantive application.

“The order accordingly was duly served on all parties concerned, including the National Working Committee of PDP and INEC.

“It is a settled matter in law that when a judgment is appealed against to a superior court, all parties should maintain status quo ante belum till the matter is finally determined. The Governors cannot claim ignorance of this position of law before issuing their statement, which runs in conflict with the court decision.”

He reminded the police of the January 29, 2025 alleged invasion of the PDP National Secretariat by “hired thugs and bandits to unleash attacks intended to disrupt “a meeting of the party’s Board of Trustees (BoT); an action he described as “completely unlawful and in total disregard to the judiciary and the rule of law.”

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He said it was saddening that “the Governors in their expected wisdom have allowed themselves to be deceived by the sponsors of Ude- Okoye.”

He claimed that some people are already “facing criminal investigations by the police” for allegedly forging PDP guidelines which “they used to mislead the courts in securing the ill-fated judgments.”

He expressed concerns about likely and deliberate invitation to chaos at the PDP National Secretariat and urged the IGP, DG of DSS and the courts to seriously consider logical options to avert such.

His words: “Police is therefore being alerted of the grave dangers that will ensue in the attempt of the NWC to implement the quoted advice of the PDP Governors Forum enshrined in paragraph 3 of their communique; it will be an invitation to chaos and affront to the judiciary and the rule of law, especially when the matter is pending before the superior courts for determination.

“I am by this letter calling on you to take necessary steps to forestall the crises being instigated by PDP governors and the sponsors of Ude- Okoye; the National Working Committee of PDP should be advised to refrain from any action that will be contrary to the position of the court on this matter.

“It is my right as a lawful citizen to seek justice against a judgment that was fraudulently secured against me.

“In the interest of peace, safety of lives and property of innocent Nigerians, all parties to this case should be cautioned to conduct themselves in line with the rule of law and decision of the Court of Appeal to maintain status quo ante bellum pending the hearing and determination of the motion. Anything contrary to this will be vehemently resisted.

“I still remain the validly elected National Secretary of PDP until the court rules otherwise.”

On Friday, he said the PDP constitution does not recognise the Governors’ Forum as a formal or constitutional organ of the party.

“It is only a pressure group, so their communique is advisory,” he said.

“It is very likely that that they did that today (yesterday) to please Governor Peter Mbah who spearheaded this.

“The Constitution of Nigeria and the courts of the land tower above all; the Appeal Court gave an order for a stay of execution that is in my favour and it is clear that as we speak today, in compliance with the law and the order of the court of law, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) will not dare deal with any other person in PDP as National Secretary except me.

The PDP crisis erupted soon after the May 2022 presidential primary where former Vice President Atiku Abubakar was picked as the party’s flag bearer.

A group in the party, led by the then governor of Rivers State Nyesom Wike and comprising four other governors, had demanded the resignation of Senator Iyorchia Ayu as National Chairman to avoid a situation where Northerners would hold both the presidential ticket and chairmanship position.

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The Atiku faction refused to accede to the request.

Wike and his group took that as a violation of the principle of equity within the party and vowed to not work for PDP in the 2023 election campaign.

They carried out their threat and the party lost at the polls.

The crisis has lingered ever since, and with the 2027 elections approaching, the two sides are now locked in a fierce battle for the control of the soul of the party with each side determined to have its own supporters run the party.

The objective is that the side with its people in charge of the NWC will have an edge in producing the party’s presidential candidate in 2027.

It is widely believed that Atiku is still interested in the presidential race.

A former deputy national chairman of the PDP, Chief Olabode George, on Friday decried the situation in his party and warned that the unresolved internal wrangling could cost it the 2027 elections

He said: “I have always stated that when you have a little problem and you don’t arrest it on time, it becomes cancerous and affects everybody.

“I believe that at the stage we are, whatever is happening between the two Secretaries—Anyanwu and the other former National Youth Leader of the party—is a reflection of the lackluster approach to solving this problem.

“I was disgusted and ashamed that this kind of crisis would get to a crescendo where our public image is being eroded. It was a show of shame and very disgraceful.

“My take is this: the contentious matter is that the former youth leader went to the Court of Appeal, which gave him judgment that he was right to take over the office of the National Secretary, and Anyanwu went to another court that ordered the status quo to be maintained.

“It looks depressing and disgusting when you consider that a party, which is like an Iroko tree, is being decimated because of personal ambition. It bothers some of us who have been part of the party since 1998.

“Resolving this crisis at the midpoint doesn’t make any political sense. Let us set up a committee to conduct an in-depth analysis of what happened.

“All sides of the divide are making us very angry. People are starting to say that our party is dead, but we say no, we can disagree without being disagreeable.

“I will remain consistent in my argument that we must go to the root of this madness so that it will never repeat itself.

“We have to set up a proper committee to resolve the mess from that convention. We must avoid this dirty public image.”

PDP crisis: Anyanwu asks DSS, police to enforce Appeal Court order

Related Topics:Anyanwu court order PDP Crisis

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Appeal Court Confirms Nenadi Usman as Labour Party Leader, Dismisses Abure’s Suit

Published

7 hours ago

April 21, 2026

Trends Admin

Labour Party National Chairperson, Nenadi Usman

Appeal Court Confirms Nenadi Usman as Labour Party Leader, Dismisses Abure’s Suit

The Court of Appeal has affirmed Nenadi Usman as the legitimate leader of the Labour Party, bringing to a close a protracted leadership crisis that has unsettled the party for months.

In a unanimous judgment delivered by a three-member panel, the appellate court dismissed an appeal filed by Julius Abure, describing it as lacking merit. The court upheld an earlier ruling of the Federal High Court, which recognised Usman as the party’s leader.

The case stemmed from Abure’s challenge to a January 2026 judgment of the Federal High Court in Abuja, which had reaffirmed the position earlier taken by the Supreme Court of Nigeria. The apex court had nullified the Labour Party convention that returned Abure as National Chairman, effectively invalidating his claim to the position.

Delivering the lead judgment, Justice Oyejoju Oyewumi held that the matter had already been conclusively determined by the Supreme Court, stressing that there was no legal basis to reopen the issue. The panel unanimously agreed that the appeal lacked substance.

The appellate court also upheld the directive compelling the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to recognise Usman as the party’s leader, ruling that the Federal High Court acted within its constitutional authority in mandating the electoral body to perform its statutory duties.

On the question of party leadership, the court endorsed the caretaker committee headed by Usman, describing it as a necessary and pragmatic measure to address the leadership vacuum within the party at the time.

The judges further criticised Abure for what they termed an abuse of court process, accusing him of forum shopping by pursuing the same matter in different courts despite a clear and binding decision from the Supreme Court. They held that his continued claim to the leadership position was in defiance of an already settled legal position.

Consequently, the court dismissed the appeal in its entirety and imposed a cost of N10 million against Abure, describing the suit as a waste of judicial time.

Reacting to the judgment, Usman hailed the ruling as a victory for democracy and the rule of law, commending the judiciary for its firmness. She expressed appreciation to party members and supporters for their patience during the crisis and called on stakeholders to unite in rebuilding the party ahead of its forthcoming congresses and national convention.

The Labour Party leadership also urged Nigerians to continue supporting the party as it intensifies preparations for the 2027 general elections.

Appeal Court Confirms Nenadi Usman as Labour Party Leader, Dismisses Abure’s Suit

Politics

House of Reps Hit by Massive Defections as PDP Loses Five Members

Published

9 hours ago

April 21, 2026

Trends Admin

House of Reps Hit by Massive Defections as PDP Loses Five Members

Nigeria’s political landscape witnessed another round of realignments on Tuesday as members of the House of Representatives defected from major political parties, including the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), All Progressives Congress (APC), and Labour Party (LP), in a move linked to internal party crises and preparations for the 2027 general elections.

During plenary after the Easter break, Deputy Speaker Benjamin Kalu formally read out a series of defection letters, confirming shifts involving lawmakers across multiple constituencies. The development saw the PDP lose five members in a single sitting, while other parties also recorded gains and losses.

Kalu, however, dismissed concerns that the growing trend signals a drift toward a one-party state, arguing that the movements reflect constitutional political freedom.

“This is to show the country that no party is stifled. People are leaving the majority party to the minority parties and the minority parties for the majority party. This is the beauty of democracy,” he said.

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One of the notable defections was from Lagos State, where Thaddeus Attah of Eti-Osa Federal Constituency left the Labour Party for the African Democratic Congress (ADC). In his letter, he cited the ongoing leadership crisis within the LP as a key reason for his decision, saying it had hindered effective representation of his constituents.

The PDP recorded the most significant losses in the latest wave. Abubakar Abdul from Niger State defected to the APC, while Yakubu Noma from Kebbi State joined the ADC. Another lawmaker from Kebbi State, Ibrahim Mohammed, also moved to the APC.

In Osun State, Mudashiru Alani (Ayedire/Iwo/Ola-Oluwa) and Adetunji Olusoji (Odo-Otin/Ifelodun/Boripe) exited the PDP for the Accord Party, further weakening the party’s presence in the lower chamber.

The APC also suffered setbacks, as David Fuoh from Taraba State defected to the PDP, while Bashir Zubair from Kaduna State joined the ADC, highlighting the two-way nature of political defections in Nigeria’s National Assembly.

The latest realignments have been largely attributed to unresolved leadership disputes within major opposition parties, particularly the PDP and LP, as well as strategic repositioning ahead of the 2027 elections.

Since the inauguration of the 10th National Assembly in 2023, the APC has maintained numerical dominance in the House, while opposition parties continue to struggle with internal divisions, prompting frequent defections and coalition discussions.

Political analysts say the growing visibility of smaller parties such as the ADC signals a gradual reshaping of Nigeria’s political space, as lawmakers increasingly explore alternative platforms beyond the traditional APC–PDP rivalry.

The House adjourned plenary to Wednesday in honour of Kano lawmaker Hassan Danjuma, who passed away on April 10, 2026, at the age of 66.

House of Reps Hit by Massive Defections as PDP Loses Five Members

Politics

APC Releases 2027 Election Timetable, Fixes Presidential Form at N100 Million

Published

16 hours ago

April 21, 2026

Trends Admin

APC Releases 2027 Election Timetable, Fixes Presidential Form at N100 Million

The All Progressives Congress (APC) has released its official timetable and schedule of activities ahead of the 2027 general elections, outlining key dates for party primaries and detailing the cost of nomination and expression of interest forms for various elective offices.

In a statement issued on Monday night and signed by the party’s National Organising Secretary, Sulaiman Argungu, the ruling party confirmed the full breakdown of fees for presidential, governorship, and legislative aspirants.

According to the schedule, the presidential expression of interest form is pegged at N30 million, while the nomination form costs N70 million, bringing the total to N100 million for aspirants seeking the party’s highest ticket.

For the governorship race, aspirants will pay N10 million for expression of interest and N40 million for the nomination form. Senate aspirants are required to pay N3 million and N17 million, while House of Representatives aspirants will pay N1 million and N9 million respectively.

At the state level, aspirants seeking seats in the State Houses of Assembly will pay N1 million for expression of interest and N5 million for nomination forms.

The APC also announced concessions for specific categories, stating that female aspirants, youths, and persons with disabilities will pay the full expression of interest fee but only 50 percent of the nomination fee, in a move aimed at promoting inclusion within the party’s internal electoral process.

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Primary election timetable released

The party also confirmed dates for its primary elections ahead of the 2027 polls. According to the timetable:

Presidential primary: May 15–16
House of Representatives primary: May 18
Senate primary: May 20
State House of Assembly primary: May 21
Governorship primary: May 23

The schedule signals the formal start of internal political activities within the APC as aspirants begin mobilisation for party tickets ahead of the general elections.

Political implications

Analysts say the release of the timetable marks a major step in Nigeria’s 2027 election cycle, with the APC setting the pace for other political parties to follow.

The cost of nomination forms—particularly the N100 million presidential ticket—is already generating public debate, with concerns around affordability, political inclusion, and youth participation in governance.

With President Bola Ahmed Tinubu expected to complete his first term by 2027, the timetable is likely to trigger increased political activity within the ruling party as aspirants begin consultations and alliances.

The APC stated that the structured timetable is designed to ensure a smooth, transparent, and orderly selection process in line with internal party regulations and national electoral expectations.

APC Releases 2027 Election Timetable, Fixes Presidential Form at N100 Million