By Dansu Goldmark Pentho Tensions have flared once again within the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), this time from the Southeast, where pa...
By Dansu Goldmark Pentho
The Southeast Caucus, led by prominent political figures in the region, has issued a stern warning to the PDP’s national leadership, demanding the immediate ratification of Hon. Sunday Udeh-Okoye, a former National Youth Leader, as the substantive National Secretary. The group described Koshoedo’s appointment as a snub and warned that if their candidate is sidelined, the zone may be forced to reconsider its continued membership in the party.
This new threat comes just days after party stakeholders appeared to reach a truce with the inauguration of the Saraki-led reconciliation panel, aimed at mending internal rifts. However, the appointment of Koshoedo, who hails from Badagry in the Southwest, has reignited longstanding tensions.
During a heated meeting at the Enugu Government House, key Southeast PDP leaders, including Enugu State Governor Peter Mbah, PDP Board of Trustees Chairman Senator Adolphus Wabara, former Imo State Governor Achike Udenwa, and National Vice Chairman (Southeast) Chief Ali Odefa, unanimously rejected Koshoedo’s appointment.
Governor Mbah called for a unified Southeast position, stressing that the region’s contributions to the party cannot be continually ignored without consequence.
Wabara, visibly upset, accused the national leadership of marginalizing the Southeast. “We have been trampled upon and not taken seriously. If this position were zoned to the South-South, it would have been handled differently. It’s always politics as usual when it concerns the Southeast,” he said, warning that the region may need to "reconsider its stand" within the PDP.
Chief Odefa, who read out the communique from the meeting, underscored the zone’s loyalty to the PDP over the years, highlighting the Southeast's role in expanding the party’s base post-2023 elections—even attracting defectors from rival parties like the Labour Party. He stressed that any attempt to undermine the region’s candidate would be met with decisive action.
“The NWC’s earlier directive was clear. Udeh-Okoye was nominated to complete the tenure of the National Secretary. We find it unacceptable that this process is being disregarded,” Odefa said. “Peace and unity can only return if his nomination is respected and ratified.”
The statement warned that failure to do so could lead to a mass exit of Southeast leaders and supporters from the PDP—a development that would deal a heavy blow to the party's already fragile national cohesion.
Meanwhile, at the PDP national secretariat in Abuja, staff have thrown their weight behind Koshoedo’s appointment. National Director of Administration, Engr. Gurama Bawa, said the workers “unanimously align with the PDP Governors’ Forum and the NWC” in recognizing Koshoedo as Acting Secretary, stating that the move is in line with the party's constitution and in the interest of stability.
Bawa added that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has acknowledged Koshoedo in his acting capacity and has been processing official party correspondence signed by him, further cementing his legitimacy in the eyes of the national leadership.
While Bawa acknowledged the contributions of former Secretary Samuel Anyanwu—who has also laid claim to the post after contesting the Imo governorship—he insisted that no sacrifice is too great when party unity is at stake.
“The party gave him the platform to rise politically, and we appreciate his service. But now, we must look at the bigger picture,” Bawa said, urging Acting National Chairman Umar Damagum to ensure that the NEC meeting scheduled for May 27 proceeds without disruption.
The internal wrangling over the Secretary’s position has been ongoing since Anyanwu’s controversial return to the role after his gubernatorial bid. A brief but intense scuffle broke out last December when both Anyanwu and Udeh-Okoye attempted to attend a PDP BoT meeting as Secretary, prompting the meeting to be relocated from the party secretariat to a private hotel in Abuja.
Although the matter reached the Supreme Court, the apex court declined to resolve the leadership tussle, instead directing the PDP to handle the matter internally. In response, governors within the party attempted to break the deadlock by appointing Koshoedo in an acting capacity pending a final decision by the NEC.
Yet, with the Southeast caucus now issuing ultimatums and threatening to walk away, the PDP faces yet another existential test—one that could further fracture the opposition if not urgently addressed.
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