A top chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Olabode George, has raised concerns over the ongoing PDP Crisis. He believes that personal ambitions are weakening the party’s unity and future prospects.
During an interview on Arise TV, George stressed the need for a dedicated committee. This committee, he said, must resolve the dispute between Samuel Anyanwu and Sunday Ude-Okoye over the position of PDP’s National Secretary.
He described the ongoing situation as a “public disgrace and a show of shame.”
PDP Crisis: Leadership Dispute Tarnishing Party’s Image
George’s remarks followed a heated altercation at the PDP Board of Trustees (BoT) meeting. The clash occurred at the party’s National Secretariat in Abuja between Ude-Okoye and Anyanwu’s supporters.
The dispute stems from Anyanwu’s decision to vacate his position. He left to contest the Imo State governorship election, which he lost.
In his absence, PDP endorsed Ude-Okoye as his replacement. However, Anyanwu opposed this move upon his return and challenged it legally.
PDP Crisis: George Expresses Disgust Over Internal Rifts
Reacting to the incident, George said: “I have always stated that when you have a little problem and you don’t arrest it on time, it becomes cancerous and affects everybody. I believe that at the stage we are, whatever is happening between the two Secretaries—Anyanwu and the other former National Youth Leader of the party—is a reflection of the lacklustre approach to solving this problem.
“I was disgusted and ashamed that this kind of crisis would get to a crescendo where our public image is being eroded. It was a show of shame and very disgraceful.
“My take is this: the contentious matter is that the former youth leader went to the Court of Appeal, which gave him judgment that he was right to take over the Office of the National Secretary. Anyanwu then approached another court that ordered the status quo to be maintained. It looks depressing and disgusting when you consider that a party, which is like an Iroko tree, is being decimated because of personal ambition. It bothers some of us who have been part of the party since 1998.”
PDP Crisis: George Calls for Urgent Resolution
George believes resolving the crisis midway is not a viable solution. He emphasized that setting up a fact-finding committee is necessary.
“Resolving this crisis at the midpoint doesn’t make any political sense. Let us set up a committee to conduct an in-depth analysis of what happened. All sides of the divide are making us very angry. People are starting to say that our party is dead, but we say no, we can disagree without being disagreeable.
“I will remain consistent in my argument that we must go to the root of this madness so that it will never repeat itself. We have to set up a proper committee to resolve the mess from that convention. We must avoid this dirty public image.”
