Senator Samuel Anyanwu, has strongly condemned efforts by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Governors’ Forum to replace him, calling the move unconstitutional and against both Nigerian law and the PDP’s own constitution.
Anyanwu insisted, “I remain the National Secretary of the PDP,” stressing that this is not the first time some party members have tried shortcuts that go against party rules and court orders. He pointed to a March Supreme Court judgment that clearly invalidated previous rulings used by those trying to undermine him.
He also highlighted a Federal High Court order from January which bars the PDP and its officials from acting as if the National Secretary office is vacant. “I will return to my office at the PDP National Secretariat after the Easter holidays. There is no vacancy for anyone else to claim my position,” Anyanwu said.
Criticizing the actions of certain party members, Anyanwu suggested they are deliberately trying to destabilize the PDP while shifting blame to others. He revealed that during a governors’ meeting, even the party’s National Legal Adviser told them their attempt to remove the National Secretary was wrong considering the Supreme Court’s ruling.
Read Also: House of Reps Inaugurates 21-Man Adhoc C’ttee to Oversee Rivers Assembly
Anyawu emphasized that the PDP constitution does not allow a few governors to cancel a valid election result. Anyanwu was elected for a four-year term in 2021, and prior attempts by other party factions to replace him were quashed by the Supreme Court.
Additionally, Anyanwu’s legal team has submitted the court judgment to INEC, warning that no valid party documents can be signed without his signature and that of the PDP National Chairman. Any unauthorized signing could jeopardize the party’s candidates.
In response, PDP groups, especially from the South-South region, are mobilizing to defend Anyanwu. They say some governors loyal to President Bola Tinubu’s 2027 campaign are behind the push to remove him, driven by personal and political conflicts.
The PDP Youth Group in the South-South stressed that the Supreme Court’s reinstatement of Senator Samuel Anyanwu confirms his status as the legitimate PDP National Secretary. They argued the governors’ push for an acting secretary conflicts with the party constitution and warned that party youths might strongly oppose such moves.
Another group, the PDP Frontliners, cautioned that the governors’ attempt to oust Anyanwu could deepen existing divisions and harm the party’s chances ahead of the 2027 elections. They said targeting Anyanwu, perceived as an ally of FCT Minister Nyesom Wike, seemed less about party unity and more like a proxy war.
Senator Anyanwu remains firm in his commitment to the PDP and says his tenure lasts until December 2025, urging all party members to respect the constitution and legal decisions that uphold his position as PDP National Secretary.
