The ongoing crisis within the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has taken a new turn, as the South East caucus has issued a strong warning that it may withdraw from the party if its nomination of Hon. Sunday Udeh-Okoye as National Secretary continues to be ignored.
At a meeting held Wednesday at the Government House in Enugu, the South East Zonal Executive Committee (ZEC) reaffirmed its support for Udeh-Okoye, citing a directive from the party’s National Working Committee (NWC) that authorized the zone to nominate a replacement for the vacant position.
Reading the communique after the meeting, Zonal Chairman Chief Ali Odefa said, “The South East ZEC unanimously recommended Hon. Sunday Udeh-Okoye to complete the tenure as National Secretary. This move is critical to ensuring peace, unity, and progress within the party.”
The communique lamented that the zone had made similar nominations since October 2023, with no resolution from the national leadership. It urged the NWC to ratify Udeh-Okoye’s nomination and maintain Arch. Setonji Koshoedo in the acting position until NEC approval is secured.
Expressing deep frustration, the South East PDP warned that it may reevaluate its continued association with the party if further delays occur, despite its longstanding loyalty and contributions to the PDP.
“For nearly 30 years, the South East has remained a stronghold of the PDP. Even in the face of post-2023 losses, we’ve worked to strengthen the party by drawing opposition figures back into the fold,” the statement noted.
“Should our recommendation once again be ignored, we will be forced to reconsider our future in the party.”
PDP Board of Trustees Chairman, Senator Adolphus Wabara, echoed these concerns, accusing the party of marginalizing the zone. “We are not being taken seriously. If this position were from the South-South, this issue wouldn’t drag. We may need to reevaluate our standing in the PDP,” he said.
Former Imo State Governor, Chief Achike Udenwa, also voiced his displeasure, warning that the zone would no longer tolerate being taken for granted.
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