The crisis rocking the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) took a dramatic twist Monday when a detachment of armed policemen took over the Wadata House national secretariat of the party and chased away the workers.
The Police officers were reportedly deployed to the party headquarters to avert possible violence at the secretariat following Sen. Samuel Anyanwu and Chief Ude Okoye insistence to resume work simultaneously accompanied by their supporters.
Our correspondent observed that the situation at the Wadata Plaza was very tensed that workers and some newsmen monitored development at the secretariat from a safe distance as the two rival factions claimed to be the authentic national secretary.
The latest crisis followed a recent Court of Appeal ruling which affirmed Okoye as the authentic National Secretary and sacked Anyanwu who appealed the verdict at the Supreme Court.
Supporters of both parties gathered outside the secretariat early on Monday morning, chanting war songs, slogans and displaying solidarity placards and banners.
Earlier, Sen. Anyanwu, who drove into the premises and was greeted with a loud ovation by supporters, held a brief prayer session before addressing journalists.
According to him, “I have appealed the judgment against me at the Supreme Court and I remain committed to serving this party.”
Anyanwu dismissed the PDP National Publicity Secretary’s earlier recognition of Okoye saying his statements were simply personal opinion rather than an official party position.
But observers have traced Anyanwu’s ordeal to his decision to vacate the office of National Secretary to contest the Imo State governorship election.
While he was away, Okoye acted as scribe and later challenged Anyanwu’s efforts to reclaim the office.
Unfortunately for Anyanwu, the PDP National Working Committee (NWC) recently declared support for Okoye in line with the Appeal Court’s judgment.
Also, top leaders of the party are said to be negotiating with the two factions for amicable settlement of the crisis while policemen took effective charge of the premises.