The crisis within the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) deepened yesterday, as the South East caucus issued a stark warning: it may withdraw en masse from the party if its nominee, Hon. Sunday Udeh-Okoye, is not recognised as the party’s substantive National Secretary.
The development followed a meeting of the South East Zonal Executive Committee (ZEC), held at the Government House in Enugu, where prominent PDP figures from the region expressed their dissatisfaction with the party leadership’s handling of the matter.
Governor of Enugu State and PDP leader in the zone, Dr Peter Mbah, emphasised the need for the South East to “speak with one voice.” He was joined by the Chairman of the PDP Board of Trustees (BoT), Senator Adolphus Wabara, and former Imo State governor, Chief Achike Udenwa, in condemning what they described as the party’s continued disrespect for South East leaders.
Reading a communiqué on behalf of the caucus, South East ZEC Chairman Chief Ali Odefa said the meeting had been convened in accordance with the directive of the PDP’s National Working Committee (NWC) during its 600th session in Abuja, to nominate a candidate to complete the remainder of the current term of the National Secretary’s office.
Odefa stated:
“The South East ZEC exhaustively deliberated on the NWC’s directive and agreed it offers a pathway to peace, unity, stability, and progress. Consequently, the ZEC unanimously recommends Hon. Sunday Udeh-Okoye as the candidate to complete the term.”
He lamented that the zone had been compelled to re-nominate Udeh-Okoye multiple times since October 2023, and urged the NWC to ratify the nomination without further delay. The communiqué also requested that Arch. Setonji Koshoedo continue in his acting capacity until Udeh-Okoye’s nomination is approved by the party’s National Executive Committee (NEC).
Highlighting the region’s longstanding commitment to the PDP, the communiqué warned of consequences if their position was not honoured:
“The South East has been a loyal and consistent stronghold of the PDP since inception. We have given our all to the party. Despite post-2023 defections nationwide, the South East has led efforts to revitalise the party, including winning back high-profile opposition figures.
“If our demand regarding the Office of the National Secretary is not promptly implemented, the South East PDP, as a unified bloc, will be compelled to review its continued membership in the party.”
Senator Wabara echoed the sentiment, expressing frustration at what he described as persistent marginalisation of the South East.
“We’ve been trampled upon, not taken seriously. If this were the South-South, the issue would have been resolved quickly. When it comes to the Igbo, it’s always political games. We may have to reassess our place in this party,” he said.
Chief Udenwa added, “We expect this issue to be resolved once and for all. We refuse to be taken for granted any longer.”
Meanwhile, 83 members of staff at the PDP national secretariat, led by the Director of Administration, Alhaji Gurama Bawa, and Director of Publicity, Nnorom Chinwe Ihuoma, issued a statement backing Arch. Setonji Koshoedo as the acting national secretary. The group distanced themselves from Anyanwu and cited the Independent National Electoral Commission’s (INEC) recognition of Koshoedo in the interim role.
