Politics
Protesters Storm Wadata Plaza As PDP Power Tussle Continues
The protest came amidst heightened tensions over the anticipated resumption of Sunday Ude-Okoye, the Appeal Court-declared rightful occupant of the position.
The protesters, chanting slogans such as “No vacancy in the National Secretary’s office” and “Senator Sam Anyanwu remains the National Secretary,” besieged the back gate of the PDP’s Wadata Plaza headquarters in Wuse Zone 5, Abuja.
Security at the premises was significantly bolstered, with additional police officers deployed to prevent any breakdown of law and order.
A police truck was stationed outside the main gate, while personnel, in collaboration with PDP security, thoroughly frisked workers and visitors before granting access to the building.
Senator Anyanwu arrived at the PDP national secretariat at around midday to a rousing welcome from his loyal supporters, who had been protesting his ouster as National Secretary.
Upon entering his office, Sen. Anyanwu symbolically sanctified his desk with anointing oil before taking his seat. He then conducted a brief inspection of the secretariat offices before summoning a meeting with staff.
During the meeting, Sen. Anyanwu addressed the ongoing legal dispute surrounding his position.
He outlined the legal complexities of the situation and reassured the staff of his commitment to due process with a declaration that he would quit if the Supreme Court so decides.
He urged them to remain focused and law-abiding amid the party’s internal turmoil.
Following the meeting, the embattled National Secretary released a formal statement addressed to all national officers, the Board of Trustees (BoT), and members of the National Executive Committee (NEC).
The statement sought to explain his legal standing and justify his continued tenure as National Secretary.
In the statement, Sen. Anyanwu argued that his position as National Secretary remained valid, citing legal provisions.
“Once an application for a stay of execution is filed and pending, it operates as a bar to the execution of the judgment until the application is determined,” he stated, referencing past rulings from the Court of Appeal and Supreme Court.
Sen. Anyanwu asserted that he has filed an appeal with the Supreme Court and submitted an application for a stay of execution, maintaining that his role as National Secretary is legally protected until the court decides otherwise.
He cautioned against any actions that could undermine his position, describing them as unlawful and detrimental to the party’s unity.
Senator Anyanwu was the sole national officer present at the PDP national secretariat on Monday, as other members of the National Working Committee (NWC) were conspicuously absent.
He departed the secretariat at approximately 3:30 p.m.
While Sen. Anyanwu insists on his legal right to the position, the party’s official stance remains that the Court of Appeal judgment is binding unless a stay is granted.
In a rebuttal, PDP National Publicity Secretary, Debo Ologunagba, criticised Sen. Anyanwu’s actions, stating that the party had not received any notice of motion for a stay of execution or a court order supporting his claim.
“It’s unfortunate that this drama is unfolding. Resorting to self-help is highly condemnable.
“We have evidence linking Senator Anyanwu to the activities of thugs, including communications and financial transactions. This behaviour undermines the rule of law and tarnishes the party’s image”, Mr Ologunagba said.
The National Publicity Secretary emphasised that the PDP was committed to upholding the rule of law and will not tolerate actions that disrupt its operations.
“This party does not engage in self-help. We follow due process. If a stay of execution is granted, the party will comply. However, as of now, no such order exists”, he added.
He further suggested that external forces may be influencing the crisis, hinting at potential interference by the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
Mr Ojukwu, who recently returned to the interim National Working Committee led by Senator Esther Nenadi Usman, noted that the party had 34 elected members in the House of Representatives, eight Senators, and 80 members at the state Houses of Assembly after the 2023 general elections.
“Now we lost all of them,” he said. “I don’t think we have as many as five members in the National Assembly.”
The former national officer of the LP talked to journalists in Abuja and said he chose to join the caretaker committee led by Senator Nenadi-Usman because they are now the officially recognized leaders of the Party.
“I chose to work with the caretaker committee to help save the Labour Party, for the benefit of the party. I also want to use this chance to ask my colleagues at the national, state, and local government levels to come together and help rebuild our party.
“Another election is around the corner. We lost everything we have. They have left to other political parties. So I’ll reach out to all my friends in the other group to get together and work on making this party stronger again.
“The caretaker committee has formed a reconciliation committee. Let’s come together and talk so that we can restore the first opposition political party in Nigeria.”
Mr Ojukwu, who was part of the Julius Abure’s group, said there are no more factions in the LP.
He added, “There is a court ruling, and since it is valid, the right people are in the correct positions.”
He urged Barr Abure and others to drop the legal cases they have filed because they are not helping the party.
“Litigations are killing political parties”, he said. “They’ve seen many political parties disappear because of legal battles, and the Labor Party is losing support every day, which makes me feel sad.”
Mr Ojukwu said he did not think joining the Senator Nenadi-Usman’s NWC was a betrayal of the Abure group, describing himself as “the oxygen” of that faction.
“I’m with this group because of the verdict. But I never betrayed anybody. Rather, I was betrayed,” he added.
