Plot to Remove Me Without National Convention an Aberration, States Anyanwu

•Ex-PDP legal adviser blames Wike for party’s crisis, defends Makinde’s presidential bid

Chuks Okocha in Abuja, Emma Okonji and Agnes Ekebuike in Lagos

Embattled National Secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Senator Samuel Anyanwu, has said it was an aberration to attempt to remove him without the convocation of a national convention where the decision would be taken.

He, therefore, said the fact-finding report of the governors and National Caucus of the party had settled the issue of who was the national secretary of the party.

This was as a former National Legal Adviser of the party,Jacob Mark, has given a fresh insight into the crisis plaguingthe PDP, saying the controversial Minister of the FCT was the main cause. He also defended the alleged presidential bid of the Oyo State governor, Seyi Makinde.

However, referring to the report of the governors’ fact-finding report, he stated that there was no vacancy in the office of the national secretary.

Anyanwu’ who spoke to the PDP Press corp and stated that the office of the national secretary was specifically zoned to Imo State, said to hurriedly remove him from office without due process would have dire consequences for the party in the forthcoming national convention and some off-season elections between now and December 2025 as all correspondences between the party and INEC must be signed by him.

According to Anyanwu all the states in the south east has a National Working Committee offices zoned to it

‘’For instance, the National Deputy Treasurer comes from Enugu State. The National Auditor from Anambra State. The Deputy National Legal Adviser, Abia State. The vice national chairman is from Ebonyi.

‘’So you can see that it is wickedness for anybody that wants to take something from Ebonyi State and put it in Anambra State, when positions are evenly distributed.

“But assuming that I am no longer the National Secretary, for instance, whoever that replaces me must come from Imo State. Besides, National Secretary of a party is for the entire south. I was not elected by only southeast.

“I was elected at the convention by the entire nation. I represent the nation but it’s very disheartening that the governor of Enugu State insisted that this must go to Enugu State, when Enugu already has somebody.

‘’And by the way, is there any vacancy? There’s no vacancy. In 2023, I wrote to the party that I’m going to run election and I took leave. I wrote to INEC that while I’m on that leave, my deputy will act and so he did.

“So, I think that, for me, there’s only one people, a group of people, that can make or mar a situation or in the organisation, and that’s the press,” he said.

Meanwhile, Mark who spoke during an interview with ARISE News Channel, said the rift between the factions loyal to Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde and FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike has not only deepened party tensions but also prompted Wike to publicly withdraw from the ongoing reconciliation process, citing perceived betrayal.

Addressing the unfolding drama, Mark dismissed Wike’s criticisms, describing him as a “loose canon roaming the forest.”

He accused the former Rivers State Governor of undermining party unity by avoiding official party meetings while simultaneously seeking to control internal decision-making.

“You don’t call your friends to a guest house, share drinks, and then dictate party decisions. If Wike wants peace, he must show up at NEC meetings where legitimate decisions are made,” Mark said.

He also downplayed claims that Governor Makinde’s rumoured 2027 presidential ambition was fueling disunity.

Instead, he defended Makinde’s right to seek higher office and even pledged to support him if he chooses to run.

“If Makinde wants to contest the presidency, may I volunteer to be one of his campaigners. Let the opposition breathe,” he said.