PDP crisis: Anyanwu accuses Odefa of plotting his removal
![PDP](https://usercontent.one/wp/nigeriansonline.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/PDP-780x470.jpg?media=1707147163)
Samuel Anyanwu, the National Secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), has accused the former South East Zonal Vice Chairman, Ali Odefa, of plotting his removal from office.
Anyanwu revealed this during a meeting with members of the PDP’s National Working Committee (NWC) from the South East and other stakeholders of the party. He said that despite Odefa’s efforts, he was duly elected at a national convention and can only be removed by the same process.
According to Anyanwu, in 2023, when he was planning to contest for the governorship of Imo State, he informed the party that he would be away for three months and asked his deputy to take charge in his absence. However, unbeknownst to him, Ali Odefa was secretly plotting to have him removed.
“He deceived the only governor we have in the South East, Peter Mbah, into believing I needed to be removed,” Anyanwu said.
The position of PDP’s National Secretary has been a contentious issue ever since Anyanwu left to contest the Imo governorship election, which he lost. During his absence, the South East Caucus of the party endorsed Sunday Ude-Okoye as his replacement. However, Anyanwu’s attempt to reclaim his seat has only deepened the party’s crisis.
In December 2024, an Appeal Court in Enugu upheld a High Court decision that removed Anyanwu as National Secretary and affirmed Sunday Ude-Okoye as the legitimate Secretary. Despite this, Anyanwu has filed for a Stay of Execution and an Appeal, with Dr. Musa (SAN) nominated as the party’s legal counsel by Acting National Chairman, Amb. Umar Damagum. This has led to a new impasse within the party.