Sen. Anyanwu Remains PDP National Secretary, Govs Forum Advise ‘Misleading’- PDP Southeast Chairman, Egwu
The National Vice Chairman (NVC) of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Southeast Zone, Hon. Chidiebere Goodluck Egwu has said that there is no vacancy in the office of the National Secretary of the party.
Hon Egwu is a press statement issued in Abakaliki over the weekend and signed by his Special Adviser, Media and Publicity, Prince Ify Chijioke stated that the advise of the PDP Governors Forum which advised the National Working Committee of the party to empower the Deputy National Secretary, Hon. Setonji Koshoedo to take over the duties of the National Secretary in acting capacity was uncalled for and “misleading.”
Hon. Egwu reiterated that Senator Samuel Anyanwu as the National Secretary of the party remains in office as affirmed by the Supreme Court of Nigeria.
The Southeast NVC expressed surprise at the doublespeak of the governors forum that in one breath acknowledged the victory of the National Secretary of the party, Senator Samuel Anyanwu at Supreme Court and in another breath advised that the Deputy National Secretary of the party to take over the duty of his boss,
Hon. Egwu reminded the governors of two subsisting judgements of courts of competent jurisdiction that barred the PDP from tampering with the position of Senator Anyanwu as the authentic and substantive National Secretary of the PDP.
Part of the Statement reads:
“I am aware that the PDP Governors’ Forum, in their advisory capacity, suggested that the Deputy National Secretary, Hon. Setonji Koshoedo, should step in for Distinguished Senator Samuel Anyanwu as the National Secretary of our great party. Up till this moment, I have yet to understand the basis for this advice.
“Unfortunately, some individuals have misrepresented this advisory suggestion as though it were an executive decision — thereby misleading the media and the public with false and harmful narratives.
“For clarity, as long as the position of National Secretary remains zoned to the South East, there is no vacancy in that office.
“The governors themselves acknowledged that the recent Supreme Court judgment favoured Senator Samuel Anyanwu, setting aside the “Asaba Declaration.” The puzzling part is, why accept the judgement, yet abandon the very person it favoured? This is a contradiction that calls for reflection.
“Moreover, in January 2025, a Federal Capital Territory High Court, presided over by Justice Yusuf Halilu, in Suit No: CV/64/2025, restrained the PDP, its Acting National Chairman, Ambassador Iliya Damagum, Hon. Setonji Koshoedo, the NEC, NWC, and BoT from removing Senator Samuel Anyanwu or appointing any person, including Koshoedo, to act in his stead.
“This ruling followed an application filed by Hon. Austine Nwachukwu, Chairman of PDP Imo State, through counsel Clement Mue, relying on the party’s constitution and the subsisting Federal High Court judgment in Suit No: FHC/ABJ/CS/1580/2023, delivered on January 9, 2024, which confirmed Anyanwu’s tenure as valid until December 9, 2025.
“It also barred Koshoedo from performing National Secretary duties, except when expressly directed by Anyanwu.
“Therefore, with two binding court rulings upholding Senator Anyanwu’s position, this press release is intended to inform our teeming supporters and set the records straight.
“In conclusion, while I appreciate the governors’ advisory suggestion, a replacement is only necessary where a legitimate vacancy exists. Senator Samuel Anyanwu is alive, capable, has not resigned, nor has he been suspended by his Ward or Local Government Executive.
“It is not that we ignored the governors’ submission — we considered it carefully and deemed it inappropriate.
“As long as the National Secretary position remains zoned to the South East, Senator Samuel Anyanwu remains in office.