The People’s Democratic Party (PDP) Board of Trustees (BoT) has called for the immediate swearing-in of Hon. Sunday Ude-Okoye as the party’s National Secretary following a ruling by the Court of Appeal. In a strong resolution made during an emergency meeting, the BoT urged the National Working Committee (NWC) to uphold the court’s decision, which had confirmed Ude-Okoye’s appointment as the legitimate National Secretary.
The BoT’s position was aligned with the earlier call by the PDP governors in Asaba, Delta State, for the NWC to ensure Ude-Okoye’s immediate inauguration. According to the BoT chairman, Senator Adolphus Wabara, the decision is in full compliance with the ruling of the Court of Appeal, which upheld the judgment of the Enugu High Court. Wabara emphasized that the party’s constitution grants the BoT authority to enforce high standards and ensure the party’s activities align with legal and ethical norms.
Key Points from the BoT’s Communique:
- The PDP BoT recognized Hon. Sunday Ude-Okoye as the substantive National Secretary, in line with the judgment of the Court of Appeal.
- The BoT reaffirmed its role as the conscience of the party, citing its constitutional powers to act when the party’s conduct deviates from the established norms.
- The Board urged all party members, organs, and stakeholders to respect the judicial decision and ensure the party operates in compliance with the law.
- The BoT commended the steadfastness of the PDP Governors’ Forum, the NWC, and other key party bodies in maintaining constitutional integrity.
Legal Tension and Ongoing Disputes:
Despite the BoT’s position, the dispute over the National Secretary’s position remains contentious. Senator Samuel Anyanwu, who is also a key figure in the conflict, has pursued legal action to challenge the ruling. Anyanwu’s legal team has expressed concerns that the ongoing dispute is causing harm to the party and the broader political landscape. They have filed a motion with the Supreme Court, seeking accelerated hearings on the appeal.
Anyanwu’s legal team has requested that the time for filing briefs be shortened to expedite the resolution of the case, as the party continues to deal with internal tensions. The case is now set for review in the Supreme Court, with Anyanwu insisting that the lower court’s rejection of his appeal was incorrect.
While the PDP BoT has called for unity and adherence to the legal decision, the internal conflict over the National Secretary’s position remains unresolved as legal challenges persist. The resolution from the BoT, alongside the pending appeal, suggests that this issue will continue to shape the party’s dynamics in the coming months.