The management and staff of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, National Secretariat, on Monday shut their offices and staged a mass walkout in protest against Senator Samuel Anyanwu’s attempt to forcibly reclaim his position as national secretary.
The demonstration was said to have followed the party’s National Working Committee, NWC, appointment of Setonji Koshodeo as acting National Secretary.
Anyanwu reportedly arrived at the party headquarters with suspected thugs and tried to take control of the national secretary’s office.
However, staff members, who neither wanted to recognize or work with him, were said to have quickly mobilised and vacated the premises, leaving him stranded and visibly embarrassed.
“Anyanwu and his people entered the building. It wasn’t just an attempt, they actually went straight into the national secretary’s office with some of his aides,” One of the protesting staff members said.
The PDP secretariat remained deserted as the protest went on, as some staff insisted that they would not return until Anyanwu vacated the office.
It will be recalled that the staff had in May publicly pledged to support the committee’s decision, insisting that Koshoedo’s appointment followed the party’s internal procedures.
“We had all left our offices and walked out in protest. That firm action led to his exit,” another protesting staff said.
At the time of filing this report, the PDP is yet to issue an official statement on the matter.