Amidst a turbulent chapter in the life of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), the party’s National Secretary, Senator Samuel Anyanwu, has broken his silence, issuing a fiery defense of his position, integrity, and the legitimacy of his office, just as he accused some party leaders of stoking internal crisis for selfish ambitions.

Speaking to journalists in Abuja, Senator Anyanwu described the wave of negative press against the party as “very disheartening,” blaming what he termed “man-made crises” and “personal egos” for threatening party unity just months before the end of the current National Working Committee’s tenure.

“There’s no doubt our party is in crisis. I’m a realist. But it’s all about ambition, and it’s very disheartening,” he said.

Senator Anyanwu, who was elected National Secretary in October 2021 under a zoning arrangement that allocated the position to the South and specifically Imo State, accused the Governor of Enugu State, Peter Mba, of attempting to usurp the position and reallocate it to his state despite an existing representative from Enugu already holding a national post.

“It is wickedness for anybody that wants to take something from Ebonyi State and put it in Anambra State, when positions are evenly distributed,” he said, warning that any replacement for him must still come from Imo State.

In recounting the events that led to the legal tussle over his seat, Anyanwu blamed a former Southeast National Vice Chairman and the Governors of Enugu and Oyo States for fueling the chaos.

He expressed frustration over the misinformation being spread by some governors and stakeholders who, he said, have refused to acknowledge legal and constitutional facts despite confirmations from INEC and party legal advisers.

“NEC did not approve the recent meeting. It was a stakeholders’ meeting, not a valid NEC. If they insist otherwise, they are violating the party’s constitution.”

On the coalition talks, Anyanwu dismissed claims that PDP is planning a merger.
“PDP is not part of any coalition. We are not merging with any party. We are the first and only party that retrieved power from the military. Other parties will subsume into PDP—not the other way around.”

With only months left in the current tenure, Senator Anyanwu made a passionate appeal for unity within the NWC, urging colleagues to finish strong and leave a legacy of peace.

“We came here as a united family. Let’s leave as one. Let nobody fragment the NWC with just a few months to go. We’ve served this organization. Let’s finish in peace.”

Anyanwu hinted that while he often avoids public confrontation out of respect for his office, he will not hesitate to speak out when provoked.

“I am a responsible man. I know a lot, and I keep a lot to myself. But when I’m provoked, the things I’ll say will give them shock.”

He also addressed what he termed “a conspiracy” involving court actions aimed at replacing him with Mr. Ude-Okoye, insisting that there was never a legitimate vacancy in the first place.
“During the flag-off of my campaign, the Enugu governor came and asked me to resign. I told him I will not. Why should I trade my position because of somebody’s ego?”

In a sharp rebuke of internal party figures and television pundits, Anyanwu said many of those who accuse others of damaging the PDP are, in fact, the ones actively “demarketing” it through public attacks and blackmail. He cautioned against the short-sightedness of such tactics.

“In the next two years, a few of them will leave, and all of us will meet again at the airport lounge. Why destroy what we’ve built just because of personal grudges?”

Turning to the contentious issue of Ali Odefa’s status, Anyanwu quoted a High Court judgment that issued a perpetual injunction restraining Odefa from parading himself as a PDP member or South East National Vice Chairman—a judgment he confirmed remains unchallenged to date.

He declared any meetings convened or attended by Odefa as “infected by fundamental illegality,” noting that his own absence from such meetings as National Secretary invalidates their legitimacy.

Senator Anyanwu also used the forum to clarify his relationship with FCT Minister Nyesom Wike, stating:
“Everybody knows Wike’s role in this party. When it mattered most, he stood for PDP. He was appointed through due process. I won’t deny my friend because of intimidation. After positions, there is still life.”