Anyanwu signed the document as the PDP national scribe, despite explicit rejection by the PDP Governors’ Forum and other key party organs.
The leadership crisis rocking the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has taken a new turn as Senator Samuel Anyanwu, whose claim to the position of National Secretary remains fiercely contested, signed off on the official nomination document for the party's Anambra State gubernatorial candidate, Jude Ezenwafor.
Anyanwu signed the document as the PDP national scribe, despite explicit rejection by the PDP Governors’ Forum and other key party organs.
In a formal letter dated May 7, 2025 addressed to the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), and obtained by SaharaReporters on Tuesday, the PDP confirmed the submission of Ezenwafor Jude C. as its gubernatorial candidate for the Anambra 2025 election, scheduled for November 8.
The letter was co-signed by Ambassador Umar Illiya Damagum, Acting National Chairman, and Senator Anyanwu, who appended his signature in his controversial capacity as National Secretary.
“We write to inform the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) that EZENWAFOR JUDE C. is the Peoples Democratic Party's (PDP's) Gubernatorial Candidate for the November 08, 2025 Anambra State Gubernatorial Election, having emerged winner of the Party's Gubernatorial Primary in ANAMBRA STATE monitored by the Commission,” the letter stated.
“Please be also informed that HON. OKEKE FRANCIS CHUKWUDI is Ezenwafor Jude's Running Mate. We hereby forward the Credentials/ Particulars: Forms EC-9, EC-9B and EC-13B, of both the candidate and running mate,” it added.
The letter, which was duly acknowledged by INEC on May 12, 2025, highlights the deepening division within the PDP, as Anyanwu's signature on official documents contradicts recent directives from the PDP Governors’ Forum and the National Working Committee (NWC).
The nomination comes on the heels of a Supreme Court judgment that technically vacated the decision of the Court of Appeal, Enugu Division, which had upheld the removal of Senator Anyanwu as National Secretary.
The apex court had ruled that the issue was an internal party affair and therefore outside the jurisdiction of the judiciary. However, the ruling has not quelled the internal dispute, as both Anyanwu and Sunday Ude-Okoye continue to claim the position.
While Anyanwu and his supporters interpreted the ruling as a reinstatement, the PDP leadership has maintained that the decision only reinforces the party’s right to determine its leadership, not necessarily a validation of Anyanwu's claim.
PDP National Publicity Secretary, Debo Ologunagba, had stated: “The NWC at its 576th meeting held on 11 October 2023 directed the South East Zonal Executive Committee to nominate a replacement for Senator Samuel Anyanwu upon his nomination as the governorship candidate of the PDP to contest the November 2023 governorship election in Imo State.”
The South East zone subsequently nominated Ude-Okoye, whose appointment was ratified by the NWC, Board of Trustees (BoT), and PDP Governors’ Forum.
In a decisive communique issued after its 2025/4th Meeting in Ibadan, Oyo State, the PDP Governors’ Forum had declared both Anyanwu and Ude-Okoye ineligible to function as National Secretary.
“To avert a rape of our constitutional democracy, the Forum resolved to recommend that the Deputy National Secretary acts as National Secretary, pending the nomination and ratification of a substantive Secretary from the South East Zone and NEC respectively at its next meeting,” read the communiqué, presented by Bauchi State Governor and Forum Chairman, Bala Mohammed.
Consequently, Setonji Koshoedo, the Deputy National Secretary, was appointed as Acting National Secretary, effectively sidelining both Anyanwu and Ude-Okoye pending a final resolution.
The power struggle has spilled into violence. A recent BoT meeting meant to mediate the crisis ended in chaos when thugs attempted to forcibly remove Ude-Okoye from the venue, leading to police intervention.
Despite the chaos, Anyanwu visited the party secretariat in Abuja post-Supreme Court ruling, telling his supporters, “I am here to resume my duties as the National Secretary of our great party. I thank the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, for standing by me during this challenging period.”
Chief Dan Orbih, factional National Vice Chairman (South South) and Wike ally, supported Anyanwu’s return, saying: “The Supreme Court has affirmed you as the authentic National Secretary of the PDP... Your leadership is vital in steering the PDP towards a brighter future.”
In a move to stabilise the party, the PDP Governors’ Forum has recommended an emergency National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting for May 27, 2025, followed by the party’s national convention on August 28–30 in Kano State.
Key committee members were announced to manage the zoning and convention processes. Governor Douye Diri will chair the Zoning Committee, with Governors Dauda Lawal and Caleb Mutfwang serving as Vice Chairman and Secretary, respectively.
Governor Ahmadu Fintiri will lead the National Convention Committee, supported by Governors Ademola Adeleke and Peter Mbah.