The internal turmoil within the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has escalated, as a Magistrate Court in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) has instructed the FCT Police Command to investigate claims of forgery related to the party’s primary election guidelines.
Magistrate Fatima I. Bukar issued the order, leading to the questioning of several key PDP officials. Those interrogated included the National Vice Chairman for the Southeast, Ali Odefa, and factional National Secretary, Chief Sunday Ude-Okoye, along with various staff members from the party’s national secretariat. The official printers for the PDP, Abiodun Olu Printers Limited, were also called in but requested more time to respond due to being out of town.
This court directive stemmed from a petition by PDP member Mike Iheanaetu, who alleged that the documents used in legal proceedings affirming Ude-Okoye’s position as National Secretary were falsified.
Yusuf Tambaya, the Principal Registrar of the Abuja Magistrate Court, formally informed the Deputy Commissioner of Police to conduct a comprehensive investigation and submit a report within two weeks. Should a prima facie case be established, the court has mandated that the involved parties face charges.
Iheanetu’s petition claims that the original primary election guidelines were signed on February 17, 2022, by former National Chairman Dr. Iyochia Ayu and National Secretary Senator Samuel Anyanwu. However, the purported forged documents reportedly lacked dates and signatures. The petition further argues that Section 47(5) of the PDP Constitution does not require party officials to resign before running for public office.
In contrast, the contested guidelines stipulate that any political appointee must resign prior to acquiring Expression of Interest (EOI) and nomination forms, referencing Section 84(12) of the Electoral Act 2022. The guidelines are also said to misinterpret Section 47(5) of the PDP Constitution, which requires party executives seeking elective positions to resign seven days before obtaining EOI forms.
Iheanetu’s attorney, Kalu Kalu, has called for the court to issue criminal summons against those implicated, arguing that the forged guidelines have intensified divisions within the party and caused significant harm to his client.
In response, the FCT Police Command has summoned the accused PDP officials, who have provided statements regarding their involvement. Investigators have also requested that the party’s official printers present the original guidelines to clarify any discrepancies.
Meanwhile, tensions within the PDP have spread to the South-south region, where the Zonal Executive Committee has suspended its Zonal Secretary, Chief Felix Omemu, for one month due to allegations of misconduct and unauthorized public statements that undermined a zonal executive meeting in Benin City, Edo State.
Omemu had previously issued a statement from Yenagoa, Bayelsa State, questioning the legitimacy of the meeting convened by National Vice Chairman (South-south) Chief Dan Orbih, asserting that it required approval from the Zonal Working Committee, which he claimed had not been granted.
During the Benin meeting, a motion for Omemu’s suspension was proposed by factional Rivers State House of Assembly Speaker Martin Chike Amaewhule and seconded by Hon. Godwin Offiono, a member of the House of Representatives. Amaewhule accused Omemu of breaching trust and fostering division within the party.
Following the suspension, PDP Zonal Legal Adviser George Turnah has been appointed as Acting Zonal Secretary. Chief Dan Orbih commended this decision, highlighting the importance of restoring order and discipline within the party’s leadership.
The South-south Zonal Executive Committee meeting was attended by federal lawmakers from the region, with the exception of representatives from Akwa Ibom State.
By Anthony Ogbekile
