Tuesday May 20, 2025 |
Fresh tension is brewing within the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) as the South East Caucus has once again demanded the reinstatement of Sunday Ude-Okoye as National Secretary, deepening internal rifts ahead of a crucial National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting.
On Tuesday, May 20, in Abuja, Senate Minority Whip, Senator Osita Ngwu, made the call while presenting the region’s formal resolution reaffirming Ude-Okoye’s nomination.
According to FirstNEWS, the appeal comes despite earlier steps by the PDP leadership to replace him with Setonji Koshoedo following a Supreme Court ruling in March.
“Our prayer and appeal is that this party should carefully look into our request in line with what has been done in the past. Precedents have been set, so we are asking you to look at the zone,” Ngwu said.
He stressed, “The request of this zone should not be jettisoned. We are not here to give orders, but to make an appeal so that the decision that will be taken will be for the growth of the Party.”
The South East’s insistence adds pressure to a party already struggling with internal divisions since the 2023 elections. Ude-Okoye had earlier been recognised by a court and zonal leaders, but his nomination was contested by Senator Samuel Anyanwu, who lost his case at the Supreme Court.
In an attempt to calm the waters, PDP governors asked the zone to nominate a replacement and backed Koshoedo. The NWC then ratified that choice on April 29, but the move failed to end the dispute.
With the NEC meeting set for May 27 and the party convention in August, the unresolved leadership row is shaping into a major test for the PDP’s unity.
To navigate the crisis, party leaders turned to former Senate President Bukola Saraki, who now chairs a seven-member committee tasked with brokering peace among factions.
However, the South East’s latest declaration suggests that any outcome excluding Ude-Okoye could deepen discontent within the region and complicate reconciliation efforts.
