The Upheaval Surrounding Senator Samuel Anyanwu's Return as PDP's National Secretary
Intense Dispute Erupts within PDP as Saraki's Panel Moves to Support Anyanwu for National Secretary Position
The endorsement by Bukola Saraki's reconciliation committee of Senator Samuel Anyanwu's return as National Secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has sparked discord within the party.
Confidential sources revealed to Punch that this move didn't sit well with the PDP Governors' Forum, members of the National Working Committee, the Board of Trustees, and other party stakeholders, reigniting discord within the ranks.
A senior PDP leader, speaking anonymously, revealed that the South-East caucus, along with Peter Mbah, the BoT Chairman, Zamfara State Governor Dauda Lawal, Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde, Bayelsa State Governor Douye Diri, and some members of the NWC, are displeased that the Saraki-led panel endorsed Anyanwu's resumption without consulting them.
The source asserted, "The renewed agitation is due to the way Saraki handled the situation. He met with just a few NWC members and decided that Anyanwu should resume office as National Secretary, without consulting the full panel, the entire NWC, or even the governors who assigned him the task.
"Notably, some governors like Seyi Makinde, the Enugu State governor, the Zamfara State governor, and even the Bayelsa State governor are not happy about it. They perceive it as a deliberate move to undermine them and portray them as weak.
"Even some NWC members are uncomfortable with the decision. They expected the Saraki-led panel to meet with them before arriving at such a conclusion.
"Remember, things had been relatively calm since the governors nominated and the NWC approved Koshoedo as National Secretary, until Saraki's meeting with a few NWC members stirred things up.
"What the governors, the BoT chairman, and several NWC members want is peace within the PDP. They want the interest of the South-East, which made the nomination, to be protected and respected, not for the party's unity to be sacrificed in favor of a few individuals."
A PDP chieftain also told the mentioned publication that Arch Setonji Koshoedo's name had been forwarded to the Independent National Electoral Commission as the party's scribe.
"I am aware that as of Wednesday, Koshoedo's name was forwarded to INEC; he is the recognized secretary of the party as of today. I am not aware of any other arrangement outside that," the source said.
Another party insider confirmed that the decision to endorse Anyanwu did not go down well with many party leaders.
Beneath the Surface
The tension stems from multiple factors:
- Internal Party Strife: The PDP currently grapples with internal divisions, with some factions conflicting with the decision to reinstate Senator Anyanwu, leading to commotion within the party ranks.
- Recognition of Acting National Secretary: A dispute over the recognition of the National Secretary position exists, with the Bukola Saraki-led committee supporting Anyanwu and some party members and INEC recognizing Arch Setonji Koshoedo as the Acting National Secretary.
- Stability and Unity: The party staff and some members are advocating for stability and unity, implying that sacrifices may be necessary for the party's overall interest, including potentially replacing Anyanwu to avoid legal disputes and uphold party harmony.
- Legal and Political Implications: The endorsement of Anyanwu by the reconciliation committee could have legal implications, particularly if other factions or INEC do not recognize him as the legitimate National Secretary, potentially leading to disqualification issues in upcoming elections.
Overall, the situation mirrors broader challenges within the PDP in maintaining cohesion and resolving internal conflicts ahead of critical elections.
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- The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) is witnessing internal strife due to the disagreement over the reinstatement of Senator Samuel Anyanwu as National Secretary, with some party members advocating for stability and unity, potentially at the expense of Anyanwu's leadership.
- The APC Secretary has suggested that the PDP might consider registering as a new political entity to resolve ongoing internal conflicts and improve their chances in future elections.
- The Independence National Electoral Commission (INEC) recognizes Arch Setonji Koshoedo as the Acting National Secretary of the PDP, contrary to the endorsement of Senator Anyanwu by Bukola Saraki's reconciliation committee.
- Some party members perceive the endorsement of Anyanwu as a deliberate move to undermine leaders like Seyi Makinde, the Enugu State governor, the Zamfara State governor, and the Bayelsa State governor, leading to further discord within the PDP.
- The general news landscape in Naija is increasingly dominated by politics, policy-and-legislation, and war-and-conflicts, with the ongoing PDP turmoil being a significant focus due to its potential impact on upcoming elections.
