The National Secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Senator Samuel Anyanwu, has firmly stated that he will not step down from his role, despite mounting pressure from certain party leaders. He specifically accused Governors Seyi Makinde of Oyo State and Peter Mbah of Enugu State of spearheading a coordinated effort to oust him before the end of his term. Addressing journalists in Abuja on Wednesday, Anyanwu described the ongoing crisis as politically driven and lacking any constitutional basis. “There is no vacancy in the office of the National Secretary of the PDP. I remain the duly elected National Secretary, with my tenure valid until December 2025,” he declared. Anyanwu clarified that he had only taken a leave of absence to contest the 2023 Imo State governorship election and had formally informed both the party and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). “I sent official letters to the party and to INEC before going on leave, and they were acknowledged. My deputy simply held the fort in my absence. At no point did I resign,” he said. He emphasized that the office of the National Secretary is zoned to the South and further micro-zoned to the South-East, with Imo State specifically designated to produce the nominee. He questioned the legitimacy of moves to install a replacement from Enugu State. “If the zoning principle is to be respected, any replacement must come from Imo State, not Enugu. Governor Mbah is pushing for a replacement that violates the PDP’s own zoning formula,” Anyanwu stated. He alleged that Hon. Ali Odefa, a former South-East National Vice Chairman, was behind the campaign against him, using false information to mislead Governor Mbah and others. The party leader stated that Odefa had been expelled and no longer had any legal standing within the party. “Odefa’s tenure expired in March. He was expelled from the party and the High Court confirmed it. He has no business attending or convening any PDP meeting,” he explained. Citing a High Court judgment from January 26, 2025, Anyanwu emphasized the legal weight of the decision, which he said rendered any action taken by Odefa or his allies illegal and invalid. He also rejected reports of an impending coalition or merger involving the PDP, asserting that the party is not part of any alliance talks. “There is no coalition. PDP is not merging with anyone. Other parties can join us if they like, but we are not surrendering our identity,” Anyanwu declared. The PDP secretary further expressed frustration over internal sabotage during the last governorship election, alleging that some party leaders withheld support despite his longstanding commitment to the party. He explained, “I contested that election without a kobo from the party. None of those now calling for my resignation helped me. Yet they want me out?” Anyanwu warned that any action aimed at removing him could legally invalidate all PDP activities conducted under his watch since November 2023, including congresses and candidate nominations. “If my office is nullified, then every action I’ve taken, every congress and nomination, is also null and void. That means PDP has no structure nationwide,” he cautioned. Anyanwu appealed for calm and unity ahead of the party’s next convention, urging leaders to put aside personal ambition for the collective good of the PDP. He said, “Let us go in peace. We came into this as a family. Let’s not destroy the house because of selfish interests.”