The crisis in the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) deepened on Wednesday as the South-East Zonal Caucus issued a stern warning of potential mass defections if the party continues to disregard its nomination of Hon. Sunday Udeh-Okoye as National Secretary.
The threat, delivered in a communiqué following a Zonal Executive Committee (ZEC) meeting at the Government House in Enugu, underscores growing frustration over what the region perceives as sustained marginalization by the party leadership.
The communiqué, read by Zonal Chairman Chief Ali Odefa, reaffirmed the South-East’s unanimous support for Udeh-Okoye to complete the term of the National Secretary, in line with the directive of the PDP’s National Working Committee (NWC) during its 600th meeting on April 29. Odefa emphasized that ratifying Udeh-Okoye’s nomination would pave the way for “peace, unity, stability, and progress” within the party.
“The South-East ZEC exhaustively deliberated on the directive of the NWC and came to the conclusion that it offered a sure pathway to peace, unity, stability, and progress of our party. Consequently, the ZEC unanimously recommended Hon. Sunday Udeh-Okoye as the candidate to complete the term of office of the National Secretary,” Odefa stated.
The South-East caucus expressed frustration that it has repeatedly nominated Udeh-Okoye since October 2023, only to face delays and resistance from the party’s national leadership.
The region urged the NWC to immediately ratify Udeh-Okoye’s nomination and allow Arch. Setonji Koshoedo, currently recognized by the NWC as Acting National Secretary, to continue in an acting capacity pending formal ratification at the National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting scheduled for May 27.
The caucus highlighted its long-standing loyalty to the PDP, noting that the South-East has been a stronghold for the party since its inception nearly three decades ago.
It pointed to recent efforts to bolster the party’s ranks in the region, such as in Enugu, where the Labour Party’s 2023 gubernatorial candidate, two House of Representatives members, and several state assembly members have defected to the PDP.
“The South-East has consistently served as a stronghold of the PDP from inception. In PDP’s near three-decade existence, we have given our loyalty and all to the party,” the communiqué read.
“Currently, while the party has been losing key members post-2023 general elections, the South-East PDP is at the vanguard of strengthening the party by rallying major opposition figures.”
However, the caucus warned that failure to honor its demand for Udeh-Okoye’s ratification could force the region to reconsider its relationship with the PDP.
“We hope that this time, the position of the South-East PDP regarding the Office of the National Secretary is accorded the honour and immediacy it deserves. Otherwise, the South-East PDP, as a family, will be compelled to reconsider our relationship with the PDP going forward,” the communiqué concluded.
Enugu State Governor and PDP leader in the zone, Dr. Peter Mbah, called for unity, urging the South-East to speak with one voice.
“The South-East must stand together,” Mbah declared, emphasizing the need for the region to assert its influence within the party.
PDP Board of Trustees Chairman, Senator Adolphus Wabara, expressed outrage at what he described as the party’s persistent marginalization of the South-East.
“We have been trampled upon, not taken seriously. If such a position were vacant in the South-South, it would not be like this. The usual thing is to play politics with the Igbo man,” Wabara said.
“Yes, we may have to reconsider our stand as far as the party is concerned. But I trust the NWC.”
Former Imo State Governor, Chief Achike Udenwa, echoed Wabara’s sentiments, demanding an end to the region’s marginalization.
“We are expecting that this issue will be finally ironed out once and for all. We do not want to be taken for granted by anybody again,” Udenwa stated.
The dispute over the National Secretary position stems from a leadership tussle that intensified after the 2023 general elections.
In December 2024, a lower court and the South-East caucus endorsed Udeh-Okoye, a former National Youth Leader, for the role. Although the PDP governors, Board of Trustees, and NWC initially accepted the ruling, Senator Samuel Anyanwu challenged it in court. The Supreme Court, on March 21, 2025, dismissed the case, ruling that internal party matters should not be adjudicated by courts.
In response, the PDP Governors’ Forum, on April 14, directed the South-East to nominate a new candidate and endorsed Koshoedo as Acting National Secretary, a decision ratified by the NWC on April 29.
However, the South-East has remained steadfast in its support for Udeh-Okoye, deepening the rift within the party.
To address the crisis, serving and former PDP governors recently appointed former Senate President Dr. Bukola Saraki to lead a seven-member reconciliation committee ahead of the NEC meeting and the party’s elective convention in August.
Meanwhile, in a separate development, PDP National Secretariat staff in Abuja publicly aligned with the Governors’ Forum and NWC, recognizing Koshoedo as Acting National Secretary.
Speaking on behalf of 83 staff members, Director of Administration Gurama Bawa described the decision as essential for preserving party unity and administrative stability.
As the PDP prepares for its critical NEC meeting, the South-East’s threat of defection looms large, posing a significant challenge to the party’s cohesion and its prospects in future elections. Attempts to reach Acting National Chairman Umar Damagum and National Publicity Secretary Debo Ologunagba for comments were unsuccessful.
The coming weeks will be pivotal as the PDP navigates this internal crisis and seeks to avert a potential exodus from one of its strongest regional bases.
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