The crisis within the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has taken a new turn as the police arrested two top party officials over allegations of forgery. The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Magistrate Court has ordered the FCT Police Command to investigate claims that PDP’s primary election guidelines were falsified.
Following the court’s directive, police interrogated PDP National Vice Chairman (South-east), Ali Odefa, and factional National Secretary, Chief Sunday Ude-Okoye. Several staff members from the party’s national secretariat were also questioned. Meanwhile, the official printers of PDP, Abiodun Olu Printers Limited, were summoned but requested more time, claiming they were out of town.
Court Orders Investigation
The court’s decision came after PDP chieftain Mike Iheanaetu filed a petition alleging that forged documents were used in legal proceedings that upheld Ude-Okoye as the party’s National Secretary.
According to Iheanaetu, the genuine primary election guidelines were signed on February 17, 2022, by former National Chairman Dr. Iyochia Ayu and National Secretary Senator Samuel Anyanwu. However, he claimed that the disputed documents lacked both a date and signatures.
His legal representative, Kalu Kalu, urged the court to issue a criminal summons against those responsible for the forgery, arguing that the fraudulent documents have deepened divisions within the PDP.
Conflicting Party Guidelines Spark Controversy
At the center of the controversy is a dispute over the PDP Constitution and the Electoral Act. Iheanaetu argues that Section 47(5) of the PDP Constitution does not require party officials to resign before contesting elections. However, the disputed guidelines state that political appointees must resign before purchasing Expression of Interest (EOI) and nomination forms, citing Section 84(12) of the Electoral Act 2022.
Iheanaetu insists that these guidelines misinterpret the party’s constitution, further fueling internal party conflicts.
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Police Summon Key PDP Officials
Following the petition, the FCT Police Command summoned the accused PDP officials to provide statements regarding their involvement. Investigators have also requested the party’s official printers to present original versions of the guidelines to verify possible discrepancies.
The court has instructed the police to submit a report within two weeks. If the investigation establishes a prima facie case, those responsible will face criminal charges.
PDP’s South-South Crisis Deepens
Meanwhile, tensions within the PDP have spread to the South-South region. The party’s Zonal Executive Committee has suspended its Zonal Secretary, Chief Felix Omemu, for one month over allegations of misconduct.
Omemu had earlier issued a statement from Yenagoa, Bayelsa State, challenging the legitimacy of a zonal executive meeting held in Benin City, Edo State. He claimed that the meeting, convened by National Vice Chairman (South-south) Chief Dan Orbih, lacked proper approval from the Zonal Working Committee.
At the Benin meeting, Rivers State House of Assembly factional Speaker, Martin Chike Amaewhule, introduced a motion for Omemu’s suspension, which was seconded by Hon. Godwin Offiono, a member of the House of Representatives. Amaewhule accused Omemu of undermining party unity and breaching trust.
New Acting Zonal Secretary Appointed
Following Omemu’s suspension, PDP Zonal Legal Adviser George Turnah was appointed as the Acting Zonal Secretary. Chief Dan Orbih praised the decision, emphasizing the importance of maintaining order within the party’s leadership.
“The party must uphold discipline and unity,” Orbih said. “Decisions must be made collectively, and no individual can undermine the authority of the executive committee.”
The South-South Zonal Executive Committee meeting was attended by federal lawmakers representing the region, except for those from Akwa Ibom State.
As the police investigation unfolds and regional tensions escalate, the PDP remains deeply divided. The outcome of the forgery case and the leadership disputes could have significant implications for the party’s future, especially as it prepares for upcoming elections.