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PDP Crisis: Legal Adviser supports Ude-Okoye’s appointment, urges immediate swearing-in

PDP Crisis: Legal Adviser supports Ude-Okoye’s appointment, urges immediate swearing-in

Abuja: The National Legal Adviser of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Kamaldeen Ajibade (SAN), has advised the Acting National Chairman, Ambassador Umar Damagum, and the National Working Committee (NWC) to immediately swear in Sunday Ude-Okoye as the National Secretary of the party.

Ajibade’s legal advice was contained in an internal memo stamped as received by Damagum’s office on Monday. He based his recommendation on the report of the Saminu Turaki-led fact-finding committee, which was endorsed by the Board of Trustees (BoT).

In his memo, Ajibade emphasized that since both claimants to the position, Senator Samuel Anyanwu and Hon. Sunday Ude-Okoye, voluntarily submitted to the authority of the BoT panel, they should honor its verdict.

It is noteworthy that on December 20, 2024, the Appeal Court in Enugu ruled in favor of Ude-Okoye. However, disputes persisted.

Tensions escalated on January 28 when Anyanwu’s supporters forcibly removed Ude-Okoye from a BoT meeting. The PDP Governors’ Forum, led by Governor Bala Mohammed, intervened on January 31, endorsing the court’s decision and recognizing Ude-Okoye as the legitimate National Secretary.

On February 6, Damagum sought legal advice from Ajibade regarding the BoT’s recommendation. Ajibade, in his February 7 memo, affirmed Ude-Okoye’s position and urged the party to uphold the BoT’s recommendation.

“The contending parties have willingly submitted to the authority of the Dr. Kabiru T. Turaki, SAN-led committee. A legal opinion/advice having been proffered after evaluating the documents tendered by the parties should be respected,” Ajibade stated.

He warned that rejecting the legal opinion would worsen internal tensions and undermine the BoT’s role as the conscience of the party.

Ajibade concluded, “It is my advice that the contending parties, having willingly submitted to the committee, should honor its verdict. I hereby adopt the legal opinion as mine.”

The controversy surrounding the position of National Secretary is rooted in the 2023 Imo State Governorship election, which Anyanwu contested as the party’s candidate.

While Anyanwu argued that the PDP Constitution allowed him to delegate his functions without resigning, party stakeholders in the South East nominated Ude-Okoye, asserting that Anyanwu’s dual roles as governorship candidate and National Secretary were against party guidelines.


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