The National Working Committee (NWC) of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) on Tuesday stood down the nomination of Hon. Sunday Kelly Ude Okoye as National Secretary of the Party.
This is just as the PDP National Secretary, Senator Samuel Anyanwu, who was the Party’s candidate in the November 11, 2023 Governorship election in Imo State also on Tuesday resumed at his office at the National Secretariat Abuja amidst cheers by staff of the Secretariat.
The NWC at its meeting at the Party’s National Secretariat directed that Ude Okoye should not parade himself as the National Secretary, insisting that the PDP is guided by its Rules in the selection or election of National Officers.
Recall that the NWC had earlier clarified that the Office of the National Secretary is not vacant as that nothing in its Constitution or Guidelines required the National Secretary, Senator Anyanwu to resign for the purpose of contesting the Imo State Governorship election.
The NWC had further clarified that the 30 days resignation notice in Section 57 (5) of the PDP Constitution does not apply to those vying for elective office and that the PDP Election Guideline as amended in 2022 has no provision for resignation of officers vying for elections.
It was gathered that the NWC in standing down the nomination of Ude-Okoye asked all the contenders in Court over the issue to withdraw their cases as the Party is guided by the provision of its Constitution.
Briefing newsmen at the end of the NWC meeting, Acting National Chairman of the Party, Amb. Umar Illiya Damagum, said that the decision of the NWC is based on the fact that there are conflicting Court Orders on the matter. He however described the issue as a family affair of the Party adding that the NWC has directed all contenders to withdraw their cases in Court.
“I know you will ask about the issues of the National Secretary. It is family affair and it is being resolved. The NWC has directed all contenders to go back and withdraw their cases in Court. I cannot be bamboozled by Court Orders” Damagum said.
