How PDP NWC Voted to Remove Anyanwu as Secretary, Settle for Sunday Udeh-Okoye

Adedayo Akinwale in Abuja

Contrary to reports in the public space that the meeting where the Peoples Democratic Party’s (PDP) National Secretary Senator Sam Anyanwu was removed was just a “WhatsApp chat,” fresh facts have emerged, showing that every process of the meeting was followed.

According to a National Executive Committee (NEC) member of the party, who spoke on the condition of anonymity, the meeting was called via an internal memo dated 10th February, 2025, by the Deputy National Secretary, Hon Setonji Koshoedo.

The memo stated that, “the last (National Working Committee) NWC meeting was on the 20th November, 2024. This implies that the NWC Meeting was (last) held about 12 weeks ago.

“According to Section 29 (3) of the Constitution of our party, the PDP members are aware that the constitution provides that an NWC Meeting be held at least once every fortnight (Two Weeks) at the instance of the Chairman or at the of two-third (2/3) of members.

“In view of the role of NWC in the ongoing Zonal Congresses and the upcoming Anambra State Governorship Election, it is pertinent to call for an NWC Meeting as a matter of urgency to deliberate and resolve issues around those important activities of the party.”

Koshoedo, in his prayers, invited the NWC members “to consent to a call for an NWC Meeting by appending their signatures on their names as provided on that attached list (of the memo) accordingly, and approve Wednesday 12th of February, 2025 for an emergency NWC Meeting,” among other prayers.

The consent for the meeting was signed by the Deputy National Chairman (South), Ambassador Taofeek Arapaja, and eleven other NWC members, thus meeting the statutory number of two-thirds (2/3) required to call the meeting.

The NEC member told THISDAY that having physically met and signed the consent meeting with the required two-thirds (2/3), the called meeting could be held physically or virtually.

Consequently, the Acting National Chairman, Ambassador Umar Damagum, forwarded an internal memo dated 11th February, 2025 titled Re: Legal Opinion With Regards to the Position of National Secretary to the NWC Digital Platform,

The memo stated thus: “I have received a memo from the National Legal Adviser corroborating the position of the Governors’ Forum and (Kabir Tanimu) Turaki (SAN Committee.

“First, by Taminu Turaki’s opinion and submissions, from 22nd day of December, 2023, Hon. S.K.E. Udeh Okoye is the authentic and bonafide National Secretary of the party.

“That he does not need to be sworn in by the Ag. National Chairman as directed by the Enugu High Court and affirmed by the Appeal Court is immaterial. This is because equity sees as done that which ought to have been done.

“In other words, in the eyes of the law he’s taken to have assumed office as the National Secretary of our party effective from the 22nd day of December, 2023.

“In the same vein, the opinion does not believe that an application for stay of execution of the judgement of Court of Appeal had been filed before that court.

“Secondly, in order not to err in the face of the law, I have written Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and attached all legal positions as stated for the two parties to avail them of the happenings in the party as regards to the office of National Secretary. You are aware that the position of National Secretary is a signatory to all correspondence with INEC.”

Damagum, in the personally signed memo, which he placed in the Digital Platform of the NWC, prayed that members should:

“In your candid opinions, constitute adherence to our extant provisions, adoption of the Kabiru Tanimu Turaki, SAN’s verdict as corroborated by our National Legal Adviser that Hon Udeh Okoye has been the National Secretary in the eyes of law, since 22nd, December, 2023?

“In exercising RESTRAIN, would you be of the view that we await INEC’s position in the coming day, considering that Anambra’s elections are underway, requiring authentic signatories.

“Your objective opinion in this matter is very important for posterity,” Damagum submitted to the NWC members.

At the virtual meeting, Damagum, who wrapped the opinions of the NWC members declared that, “It is obvious that majority view is on the opinion so far express, the opinion had already given tacit mandate that from 20 December 2023, Udeh (Okoye) is the NS (National Secretary).”

The Ag. Chairman had earlier notified the members of the NWC that the memo he posted on the platform was “coming from the outcome of governors’ meeting and BOT meetings. Your (NWC members) opinion and decision is sort (sought) on this.”

The party’s National Treasurer, Alhaji Ahmed Yayari, who opened discussion said, “based on the Appeal Court judgement and the submissions of Kabiru Turaki (SAN) and the views expressed by the National Legal Adviser of the PDP, Hon Udeh Okoye stands as the authentic secretary of the party.

“I, therefore, approved that Hon Udeh Okoye is maintained as the National Secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). I submit.”

Taking his turn, the Deputy National Secretary, Koshoedo, noted that the party could not wait for INEC position or exercise any restraint, adding that, “INEC is not the one to dictate who our National Secretary is. We are to inform INEC who our NS (National Secretary) is.

“After going through necessary legal and party management procedures… The normal thing to do is to write INEC that we now have a National Secretary, not asking for INEC position please.

“Having answered your questions our dear Ag. NC, I SUPPORT AND APPROVE that Udeh Okoye, having been declared the authentic National Secretary since 22nd December, 2024 (2023), should start exercising his roles as the National Secretary of PDP immediately. I APPROVE,” he declared.

The National Vice Chairman (South-east), Chief Ali Odefa, stated that ‘in line with the judgement of the Appeal Court and submissions of Turaki SAN and our NLA, I therefore approve that Rt. Hon SKE Udeh Okoye immediately begin to direct the affairs of the party. I so approve.”

The National Financial Secretary, Dr Daniel Woyengikuro; the Deputy National Chairman (South), Arapaja; National Auditor, Daniel Okechukwu; the National Woman Leader, Hon Amina Bryhm; the National Youth Leader, Hon Suleiman Mohammed Kadade; the National Vice Chairman (North east), Emmanuel Bovoa Nkavoa; the National Vice Chairman (North Central), Hon Dakas Shan; the National Vice Chairman (North west) Senator Bello Gwarzo.

The meeting was brought to an end with the removal of Senator Sam Anyanwu from the NWC Digital Platform and his replacement with the telephone number of Udeh Okoye after which the National Vice Chairman (South east), Odefa, congratulated Damagum for “standing on the side of justice.”