Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) says there are no factions or confusion within its Anambra chapter.
The party’s Publicity Secretary in the state, Dr Obumneme Nnoli, said this in a statement in Awka on Thursday.
Freedomonline reports that the statement, entitled: “Re: Falsehood On The Leadership Of PDP In Anambra State”, was in response to a report that there was no validly-constituted state executive committee (SEC) in the state.
Freedomonline also reports that a group had claimed that an Abuja High Court had, on Dec. 6, 2024, nullified the Anambra congress of Oct. 23, 2024 which produced the Chidi Chidebe-led SEC and that there was no valid leadership within PDP in the state.
However, Nnoli, in the statement, insisted that the Chidebe-led 37-man SEC elected at the Oct. 23, 2024 congress was the only lawful leadership of the party in the state and that their election had remained unchallenged in any court of law.
He said that the congress was the first to be conducted in Anambra for many years without any faction and with all legitimate delegates in attendance.
Nnoli described the SEC as a product of strict constitutional compliance and administrative transparency.
He commended the party’s acting National Chairman, Amb. Umar Damagun, for organising what he called the most transparent and credible state congress in in the history of PDP in the state.
“The National Working Committee has consistently recognised the Anambra SEC, led by Chidi Chidebe, since inauguration in November 2024.
“The SEC has operated under the guidance of the national leadership and in compliance with the PDP constitution.
“The Independent National Electoral Commission and other relevant institutions have continued to recognise and correspond with the Comrade Chidi Chidebe-led exco on all matters concerning PDP in Anambra State.
“The present leadership has embraced and worked with all members of the party, irrespective of their previous alignment during the congress, showing inclusiveness, maturity and genuine commitment to party unity,” he said.
The publicity secretary described the claim that there was no valid SEC leadership in the state as mischievous, misleading and an attempt to hijack the party machinery through the backdoor by making ‘repeated reference to a non-existent court judgment.’
According to him, it is common legal knowledge that no person can be bound by a judgment in which he/she was not named, identified or joined as parties, even as he challenged the purveyors to publish such a suit or order, if it ever existed.
“These individuals, notorious for their history of serial sabotage against the PDP in Anambra, have continued to peddle deliberate falsehood, misrepresentations and imaginary court judgments, with the intent to discredit the duly-elected leadership of the party.
“In January 2025, a similar misleading and fraudulently obtained court order was brought before the NWC. After careful scrutiny, the NWC concluded that the said order lacked any consequential effect against the state exco.
“NWC reaffirmed its vote of confidence in the Comrade Chidi Chidebe-led State Executive Committee.
“So, why resort to propaganda on social media rather than lawful processes if their claims were genuine. The desperation to hijack the party structure stems from personal ambition, not in service to the party or its members.
“It is unfortunate that some people have chosen the path of distraction and division rather than reconciliation and progress, at a time when Anambra was preparing for crucial elections,” he said.
Nnoli urged party members across the 326 wards of the state to remain resolute, continue to support the party leadership and not yield to the antics of those whose political relevance was tied to sowing confusion.
