More Troubles For PDP As South-East Bloc Threatens To Quit, Alleges Marginalization
Members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the South-East, have threatened to quit the party in bloc, over alleged marginalization of the zone.
This decision was part of the outcome of a stakeholders meeting held in Enugu on Wednesday, which also had Governor Peter Mbah in attendance.
Briefing newsmen after the meeting, the Chairman of the PDP, South-East Zonal Executive Committee (ZEC), Dr Ali Odefa, accused the main opposition party of marginalising the zone, particularly the position of the party’s National Secretary.
Salient Times recalls the legal tussle between Senator Samuel Anyanwu and Sunday Ude-Okoye, who had both laid claim to the position of the PDP National Secretary.
Following a March 21 judgement of the Supreme Court, the National Working Committee (NWC) of the PDP, approved the nomination of Arch. Setonji Koshoedo, as the new National Secretary on April 29.
Angered by the development, Odefa said, despite the loyalty of the zone from inception, the party has continued to treat its affairs with levity. He said, the meeting reached a consensus that “Sunday Ude Okoye should be the candidate to complete the term of office of the national secretary”.
He said the meeting reach a decision, mandating the “National Working Committee (NWC) to uphold its decision at its meeting on April 29, 2025, by ensuring that the Deputy National Secretary of PDP functions as the acting National Secretary pending the ratification of the nominee for the office of the National Secretary by the National Executive Committee (NEC) of our great party in line with the recommendations of the PDP Governors Forum and adopted by the NWC.”
While alleging marginalization of the zone, he said. “The South East Zonal Executive Committee (ZEC) further noted that zones have had to go through this process for the umpteenth time unlike what obtains in the filling of vacant national offices by other zones.
“It’s recalled that the South East Zonal Executive Committee met in October 2023 and nominated Rt. Hon. Ude Okoye to serve out the remaining term of the National Secretary. This position was reaffirmed during the February 20th, 2024 meeting of PDP South Zonal Executive Committee. We also reiterated this during the meeting of ZEC in Enugu on Friday, 25th of January, 2025.
“The South East has consistently served as a stronghold of the PDP from inception. We have given our loyalty and all to the party. 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 in PDP fold.
“In Enugu State for instance, the governorship candidate for the Labour Party is back to the PDP. Two members of the House of Representatives who are sitting here with us today, of the Labour Party are back to the PDP. Two members of the House of Representatives are equally back in the PDP from the Labour Party.
“Furthermore, PDP seats in the Enugu State House of Assembly have grown from 10 at inception to 20 today. It’s on the strength of the above therefore, that we hope that this time around, the position of the South East PDP regarding the office of National Secretary is accorded the honour it deserves. This will bring to a closure the needless lingering dispute over this matter.
“However, in the event that our position is not properly implemented by the party, the South East PDP as a family will be compelled to reconsider our relationship with PDP going forward.”
