The National Working Committee of the Peoples Democratic Party has asked Sam Anyanwu to step aside and directed Setonji Koshoedo to take over as acting National Secretary.

Until his appointment, Koshoedo was the Deputy National Secretary.

PDP acting National Chairman, Umar Damagum who announced after the NWC meeting on Tuesday explained that Koshoedo appointment is pending the resolution of the issues.

Anyanwu lost to the All Progressives Congress candidate, Governor Hope Uzodinnma in the November 11 Imo State governorship elections.

It will be recalled that, arising from its Southeast Zonal Executive Committee meeting held in Enugu on 20th October, PDP National Vice Chairman, Ali Odefa declared that the zone has unanimously nominated the former party National Youth Leader, Sunday Udeh Okoye as the new National Secretary

Consequently, a High Court in Enugu on 23rd October restrained Anyawu from parading himself and ordered Damagum to recognize Udek-Okoye. The Order was reaffirmed on November 7, 2023.

Explaining the decision of the NWC, Damagum said “Since there are conflicting court orders, we urged the two sides to stand down and we have agreed and appointed the Deputy National Secretary to continue to act as Secretary pending the time we will resolve all the issues; the conflicting court orders and resolutions of the southeast, Damagum stated.

Damagum who said the party will adopt its internal conflict resolution mechanism to resolve the issues, added that “The PDP Governors are also intervening in this matter and this action taken by the NWC will give them time to resolve the issue.”

For the Off-Cycle elections, the PDP acting National Chairman who said the Kogi and Imo State Governorship elections fell below their expectations said the electoral body had derailed in their responsibility.

He stated that, “Election have been conducted, but most of you that monitor it can attest to the fact that the Off-Cycle elections are worse than the previous elections. This is not what we bargain for.

Damagum also expressed fear that in the future there may be no election, “but written and announcement of results.”

PDP acting national Chairman alleged, “We have seen all sorts of violence, intimidation, and high handedness. This has further confirmed that the electoral body has completely derailed from the road it was supposed to take. People have lost confidence; voters were completely disenfranchised due to the complicity of some of the agencies that were to help to have a very fair election but they completely compromised. This election is worse than even the one we had earlier.”

On the future of the party, Damagum assured that they will do everything possible to ensure the party remains indivisible. (The PUNCH)

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