The South-East Zonal Executive Committee (ZEC) of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has issued a stern warning to the party’s national leadership, threatening to reassess its continued loyalty if its recommendation of Hon. Sunday Ude-Okoye as National Secretary is not honored.
In a communique delivered after a high-level meeting at the Enugu State Government House on Wednesday, Zonal Chairman Chief Ali Odefa expressed frustration over the delay in ratifying Ude-Okoye’s nomination.
The ZEC emphasized that the South-East has remained the PDP’s most reliable support base since 1999 and deserves to have its voice respected.
“The South-East has consistently demonstrated unwavering loyalty to the PDP, even as other regions experience mass defections,” Odefa said. “We have strengthened the party by attracting opposition figures into the fold, particularly in Enugu.”
The ZEC urged the PDP National Working Committee (NWC) to uphold its directive recognizing the Deputy National Secretary as Acting National Secretary pending National Executive Committee (NEC) ratification of a substantive officeholder. This recommendation aligns with the earlier position of the PDP Governors’ Forum and has been adopted by the NWC.
The committee reaffirmed its unanimous support for Hon. Sunday Ude-Okoye to complete the tenure of the National Secretary, a position currently mired in controversy due to a prolonged dispute between Ude-Okoye and former occupant Samuel Anyanwu, who also claims the post.
The South-East leaders made it clear that further delays could force them to reevaluate their relationship with the PDP.
“If this recommendation is not promptly implemented, the South-East PDP, as a united bloc, will be compelled to reconsider our future with the party,” the communique warned.
Analysts say the threat underscores growing regional discontent within the PDP, especially in the aftermath of the 2023 elections, where internal rifts and factional disputes weakened the party’s national cohesion. The situation also highlights the delicate balance the party must maintain to preserve unity ahead of future electoral contests.
