Edo Tribunal's Decision Sparks Controversy: PDP Reacts Amid Political Tensions

PDP Stands Firm: Udeh-Okoye Confirmed as National Secretary

Let me tell you something. The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) isn't backing down. Just this Friday, they came out strong, insisting that Sunday Udeh-Okoye is their National Secretary, and there’s no turning back. This bold stance was made crystal clear in a statement issued by none other than Debo Ologunagba, the PDP's National Publicity Secretary.

This latest development comes right after the Supreme Court ordered the reinstatement of Senator Samuel Anyanwu as the PDP National Secretary. But here's the twist: the PDP is saying that the Supreme Court’s ruling actually backs their decision. The court affirmed that leadership roles within the party are strictly internal matters, meaning the courts don’t have jurisdiction. It’s almost like the PDP is saying, "We’ve got this covered, and we’re sticking to our choice."

According to the statement, the PDP has already gone through its internal processes and chosen Udeh-Okoye as the National Secretary. This decision was ratified by all the necessary PDP bodies and aligns perfectly with the party's constitution, as amended in 2017. The PDP insists that the Supreme Court ruling only confirms what they’ve already done, leaving Udeh-Okoye firmly in place as the National Secretary, not Anyanwu.

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Supreme Court Ruling: A Boost for Party Autonomy

Ologunagba’s statement confirmed that the PDP has indeed received the Supreme Court judgment. They’re praising the apex court for reinforcing the principle that parties should have autonomy over their internal affairs. The PDP sees this as a major win for democracy. They’re urging all party members to stay calm and united, emphasizing that this is a moment to come together and focus on the future.

Here's how the statement breaks it down: "The National Working Committee (NWC) of the PDP has taken note of the Supreme Court's judgment, which makes it clear that party leadership positions, including the role of National Secretary, are purely internal matters. The court's decision confirms what the PDP has been saying all along: Rt. Hon. SKE Udeh Okoye is the rightful National Secretary of the party. He was nominated, endorsed, and ratified according to the rules laid out in the PDP Constitution (amended in 2017)."

How the Decision Was Made

Now, let’s dive into the specifics. Back on October 11, 2023, during the NWC’s 576th meeting, they directed the South East Zonal Executive Committee to find a replacement for Senator Samuel Anyanwu. This was after Anyanwu was nominated to run as the PDP’s governorship candidate in the November 2023 Imo State election. Following this directive, the South East Zonal Executive Committee met on October 20, 2023, and resolved to recommend Udeh-Okoye as the new National Secretary.

On November 7, 2023, at the NWC’s 577th meeting, they officially received, deliberated on, and approved Udeh-Okoye’s appointment. This decision was then endorsed by key PDP bodies, including the Board of Trustees (BoT), the South East Zonal Caucus, the PDP Governors’ Forum, and even communicated to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and the general public.

The statement concluded by thanking the Supreme Court for supporting the idea that parties should manage their own affairs. It’s a victory they’re proud of, and they’re calling on all patriotic members to stay united and work together to move the party forward.