By Enyinnaya Appolos

(Editor’s Note: This story was originally published on May 28, 2025. As an update, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has today formally rejected the Peoples Democratic Party’s (PDP) letter notifying the commission of its proposed 100th National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting, citing the absence of the National Secretary, Senator Samuel Anyanwu, as a signatory. As it stands, the PDP cannot proceed without Senator Anyanwu’s endorsement in his official capacity. The party must come to terms with this legal and procedural reality.)

The immediate past Governor of Abia State, Dr. Okezie Ikpeazu, has called on those opposing Senator Samuel Anyanwu’s position as National Secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to reconsider their actions and allow him to complete his tenure, which ends in December. He warned that any attempt to remove him, or disregard the Supreme Court ruling affirming his position, would be disastrous for the party.

Dr. Ikpeazu, who spoke at a Southeast PDP stakeholders’ meeting in Abuja before the party’s 99th National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting, that held yesterday, also expressed deep concern that ignoring the court’s decision or challenging the Independent National Electoral Commission’s (INEC) recognition of Anyanwu could destabilize the party and derail its preparations for future elections.

He also appealed to party leaders to give the Senator Bukola Saraki-led reconciliation committee, constituted by the Forum of PDP Governors, the space to carry out its mandate of resolving the party’s internal crises.

“Is there anything that was required of Senator Anyanwu, as National Secretary, that he failed to do? What is the contention? What has changed between now and December? Why is it so difficult to allow the Saraki Committee to conclude its work? Anyone who cannot engage in reasoned, logical discussion is nothing short of a brigand.”

“Our people say that if your house is on fire, you have no business chasing rats. I find it deeply disturbing that our great party, the PDP, is caught in a cycle of self-inflicted distractions.” Ikpeazu said.

The former governor lamented that despite being out of federal power for several years, the PDP continues to struggle with resolving relatively straightforward internal disputes.

“It’s embarrassing that we keep running to the courts to interpret provisions of our own constitution, and when the courts speak, we act as though we neither heard nor understood. If some people have hidden agendas against the PDP, they should state them openly. You cannot keep hiding behind a finger.”

Ikpeazu also highlighted the enduring influence of the PDP, even in its most difficult moments:

“Some of us seem to forget the strength of the PDP. In some states, even the ghost of a dying PDP is stronger than some parties that pretend to be living. The very house we’re trying to tear down is the same one others are praying to inherit. That should tell us something.” Ikpeazu stated.

In support of Ikpeazu’s warning, media reports confirmed that a PDP fact-finding committee, constituted by the National Caucus and chaired by Taraba State Governor Agbu Kefas, confirmed INEC’s recognition of Senator Anyanwu as the National Secretary, in line with the Supreme Court’s judgment.

Other members of the Kefas committee include Governors Dauda Lawal (Zamfara), Peter Mbah (Enugu), and PDP National Legal Adviser, Kamaldeen Ajibade, SAN.