The former National Youth Leader of the Peoples Democratic Party, Sunday Ude-Okoye, has said he is set to resume office as the National Secretary of the opposition party, in line with the judgment of the Court of Appeal. Punch reports.
Ude-Okoye revealed this during an interview with journalists in Abuja on Thursday.
He said, “The Court of Appeal that upheld the judgment of the High Court in my favour is the second highest court in Nigeria. It mandated me to assume office within 24 hours and I intend to keep faith with the court order.
“It is only a stay of execution that will stop me from assuming office. But as we speak there is no stay. So, I will assume office as national Secretary because nature abhors a vacuum.
“This judgement of the Court of Appeal will not affect the running of the PDP because it is the judgement of the second highest court in Nigeria. Nobody will resist this judgement because it comes with consequences”.
The PDP has experienced considerable internal turmoil both before and after the 2023 general elections.
Since assuming the role of acting National Chairman, Umar Damagum and the sacked National Secretary, Samuel Anyanwu have faced criticism from party members, who blame him for the party’s challenges.
Damagum took over from the former National Chairman, Iyorchia Ayu, who was removed by the court for failing to implement necessary reforms.
As a result, the party’s reputation has been tarnished, and its influence has weakened due to the ongoing.
Recall that on December 20, the Court of Appeal in Enugu upheld a High Court decision that removed Samuel Anyanwu as the National Secretary of the PDP.
The Court also affirmed Ude Okoye as the legitimate National Secretary of the main opposition party.
In a judgment delivered by Justice Ridwan Abdullahi, the Court ruled that Anyanwu’s claim to the PDP Secretary position, following his contest and election as the party’s governorship candidate, violated the party’s constitution, and his appeal was deemed without merit.
In response, Ude-Okoye told journalists that he would adhere to the court’s ruling, which removed Anyanwu as PDP National Secretary and confirmed his appointment as his successor.
He stated that he would remain the National Secretary of the opposition party unless the Supreme Court rules differently.
