Abuja — Spokesperson of the Opposition Lawmakers Coalition and member of the House of Representatives, Hon. Ikenga Imo Ugochinyere, has hailed the management and staff of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for endorsing the appointment of Arch. Setonji Koshoedo as Acting National Secretary.
The endorsement, announced at a press briefing on Wednesday in Abuja by PDP Director of Administration Gurama Bawa, came on behalf of 83 staff members. Bawa said the staff stood firmly with the PDP Governors’ Forum and National Working Committee (NWC) in their decision to support Koshoedo and disown Senator Samuel Anyanwu.
Bawa stated, “The management and staff of the PDP National Secretariat unanimously align with and declare unalloyed loyalty to the recommendation of the PDP Governors’ Forum as adopted by the NWC.”
He added that the NWC’s stance was essential for restoring party stability and upholding the integrity of the secretariat, given the protracted internal crisis.
The party’s leadership tussle dates back to 2023 and intensified in December 2024 when a court declared Sunday Ude-Okoye as National Secretary. Although the party initially accepted the verdict, Anyanwu challenged it to the Supreme Court, which ruled on March 21 that such issues were internal and not within court jurisdiction.
To resolve the matter, the PDP Governors’ Forum recommended that the South East nominate a replacement and proposed Koshoedo as Acting Secretary. The NWC adopted this position at its April 29 meeting.
Bawa and the PDP staff also urged Acting National Chairman Umar Damagum to ensure the scheduled May 27 National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting holds as planned, citing its significance in affirming the party’s unity and adherence to constitutional principles.
In reaction, Ugochinyere applauded the staff, calling them “reawakened soldiers of the party,” and slammed Senator Anyanwu, whom he accused of betrayal and being influenced by “FCT land politics.”
He also praised the South East PDP for re-nominating Ude-Okoye and commended Koshoedo for his role in stabilising the party during a critical period.
“The era of resistance to the politics of betrayal and desperation is here,” Ugochinyere declared. “The PDP is returning to its roots of loyalty, order, and internal discipline.”
