The ongoing crisis within Nigeria's opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has escalated, as the South-East caucus is threatening to withdraw its support if the party does not honor its nomination of Sunday Udeh-Okoye as National Secretary.
This warning follows a meeting of the South-East Zonal Executive Committee (ZEC) in Enugu, where regional leaders expressed frustration over perceived marginalization.
For over a year, the position of National Secretary has been a contentious issue within the PDP, with the South-East consistently backing Udeh-Okoye since October 2023. Despite rulings and recommendations favoring his appointment, internal disputes and legal challenges have delayed the process. The Supreme Court recently dismissed a case contesting Udeh-Okoye's nomination, urging the party to resolve the matter internally.
Enugu State Governor Dr. Peter Mbah, along with other regional leaders, emphasized the South-East's unwavering loyalty to the PDP over the decades, highlighting the region's role in bolstering the party even as it loses members nationally. The caucus insists that respecting their nomination will restore peace and stability within the party.
Meanwhile, the PDP National Secretariat staff in Abuja has backed the appointment of Arch. Setonji Koshoedo as Acting National Secretary, as per the Governors’ Forum and National Working Committee's recommendations. They stress the importance of maintaining administrative stability and urge the party's leadership to hold the upcoming National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting as planned to address these leadership issues.
The South-East caucus warns that failure to address their concerns may force a reassessment of their longstanding relationship with the PDP, a party they have supported since its inception. With the party's convention on the horizon, resolving this internal conflict remains a critical task for the PDP leadership.
