The National Secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Samuel Anyanwu, has firmly declared that he remains the legitimate occupant of the position amid an ongoing leadership tussle within Nigeria's main opposition party.

Speaking at a Southeast PDP Zonal stakeholders' meeting, Anyanwu boldly stated that "no force, not even a Julius Berger crane," could remove him from his position as the party's National Secretary.

In a direct challenge to party governors, Anyanwu said: "I dare Governor Peter Mbah and every PDP Governor to publicly say if I have taken a bottle of water from them. If anyone does, I will resign immediately."

The crisis over the National Secretary position erupted after Anyanwu temporarily left the role to contest the Imo State governorship election, which he lost. During his absence, the Southeast Caucus nominated Sunday Ude-Okoye as its candidate to fill the position.

Senate Minority Whip, Osita Ngwu, who was present at the meeting, urged the party leadership to consider the Southeast Caucus candidate, Ude-Okoye, emphasizing that the position of the Caucus should not be disregarded.

"Our prayer and appeal is that this party should carefully look into our request in line with what has been done in the past. Precedents have been set, so we are asking you to look at the zone," Ngwu stated.

He added: "The request of this zone should not be jettisoned. We are not here to give orders, but to make an appeal so that the decision that will be taken will be for the growth of the Party."

Meanwhile, former Imo State governor, Achike Udenwa, has weighed in on the controversy, insisting that the forces backing Anyanwu are not superior to the Southeast Caucus.

The leadership crisis adds to the ongoing internal challenges facing the PDP, which has been struggling with factional disputes since its defeat in the 2023 general elections.