PDP Govs creating crises as a precursor to defecting and establishing their own Parties

National Secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Senator Sam Anyanwu, has accused party governors and the Board of Trustees (BoT) of orchestrating efforts to remove him due to his close relationship with the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike. In an exclusive interview with Saturday Tribune, Anyanwu claimed that the calls for the inauguration of Sunday Udeh-Okoye as the substantive National Secretary, following his affirmation by the Court of Appeal, are part of a “proxy war” led by governors and the BoT against him.

The PDP has been grappling with internal strife, driven by factions loyal to Wike and those resisting his influence within the party. Anyanwu, aligned with Wike, has been perceived as a key ally of the former Rivers State governor, who was instrumental in his unsuccessful bid for the Imo State governorship. Anyanwu insisted that his detractors are solely motivated by his association with Wike. “The truth of the matter is that these people are fighting a proxy war. They know my relationship with Wike. That’s all. I don’t have any issue with any of them,” he asserted.

He dismissed the legitimacy of the governors’ and BoT’s actions, arguing that neither holds constitutional authority within the PDP. “The governors’ forum is a voluntary organization. Any governor can decide to be a member. It’s not a compulsory thing. It’s a social gathering,” he explained. Anyanwu emphasized that he has held his position as National Secretary since before most of the current governors took office. “I know these people. The party gave them tickets to become governors. I was National Secretary before most of them became governors,” he stated.

Anyanwu alleged that the state governors are manufacturing crises within the PDP as a precursor to defecting and establishing their own political parties. “There is no issue in the party. They are just creating tension, causing unnecessary problems for them to go to the respective parties they want to form,” he claimed.

The controversy intensified after the PDP Governors Forum, during a meeting in Asaba, Delta State, endorsed Udeh-Okoye as National Secretary. This endorsement came on the heels of a Court of Appeal ruling in Enugu that recognized Udeh-Okoye as the legitimate officeholder. Udeh-Okoye’s appointment follows Anyanwu’s temporary resignation to contest the 2024 Imo State governorship election. After his electoral defeat, Anyanwu sought to reclaim the National Secretary position, despite the South-East Zone’s nomination of Udeh-Okoye in line with party protocols.

Fell free to test your popularity against Tinubu in 2027– Presidency dares Atiku, Obi, Amaechi, El-Rufai

The Presidency has declared that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is prepared to face any challenge from opposition leaders in the 2027 general election.

In response to critical remarks from political opponents, the Presidency labeled the comments as “distracting” and “Machiavellian,” urging opposition figures to focus on the future.

Leading opposition voices—including Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, Peter Obi, Senator Rabiu Kwankwaso, Mallam Nasir El-Rufai, and Rotimi Amaechi—were advised to hold off on flexing their political muscles until the next election, signaling that the battle for 2027 is yet to come.

Sunday Dare, the Special Adviser on Media and Public Communications to President Tinubu, challenged them to wait until the next election to test their popularity against the president.

Dare emphasised that the actions of these opposition leaders were premature, urging them to focus on the future rather than prematurely questioning the president’s leadership.

In a post on X, Dare wrote: “While the President was seeking solutions to Nigeria’s energy problems in Dar es Salaam, some ‘wannabes’ were heating up the polity,” Dare added.

“This is 2025, not 2027. Let those who want to test their popularity with Nigerians wait for the next election.”

Recently, opposition figures Atiku Abubakar, Nasir El-Rufai, and Rotimi Amaechi have launched sharp criticisms against President Bola Tinubu and his All Progressives Congress (APC)-led administration.

At an event in Abuja, Atiku accused the Tinubu-led APC of bribing opposition leaders with N50 million each in a bid to destabilize their ranks. He claimed the money was part of an effort to sow discord among the opposition.

Meanwhile, El-Rufai expressed his disillusionment with the APC, declaring that he no longer recognizes the party due to a lack of internal democracy. He claimed that key party organs, including the National Executive Committee (NEC) and caucus, have not convened in two years.

“I no longer recognise the APC. No party organ has met in two years—no caucus, no NEC, nothing. You don’t even know if it’s a one-man show; it’s a zero-man show,” El-Rufai stated.

In a similar vein, Amaechi called for “brutal force” to wrest power from President Tinubu in 2027, asserting that the president would not peacefully relinquish power.

Provide evidence APC is giving opposition Leaders N50m bribe – Another Party knocks Atiku

Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, the former vice president, has been dared by the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) to present hard data to support his allegation that the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) is buying opposition groups with N50 million.

Atiku made the contentious claim while serving as a panelist at a national conference in Abuja, cautioning that if such actions persist, Nigeria’s democracy may be in danger.

In response, APGA’s Publicity Secretary, Mazi Ejimofor Opara, issued a statement on Thursday, demanding that Atiku present solid proof to support his accusations. Opara criticised the former VP for spreading “unfounded rumors” that, in his view, only serve to further inflame political tensions in the country.

The statement reads, “APGA is compelled to respond to the baseless allegation made by former Vice President, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, claiming that the ruling APC is buying over opposition parties with N50 million.

“We condemn this assertion in the strongest terms, as it is without any proof or substance. It is unfortunate that Atiku has resorted to spreading unfounded rumours, which only serve to heat up the polity and undermine the country’s democratic process.

“If indeed Atiku’s interest is to strengthen Nigeria’s democracy, we urge him to provide specific details of the opposition parties that have collected the said N50 million. It’s time for him to put up or shut up!”

“We, therefore, challenge Atiku to mention names, provide evidence, and substantiate his claims. Anything short of this is mere political grandstanding, which will not be taken seriously by Nigerians.”