The leadership of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has appealed to its South East caucus to reconsider its threat to leave the party. The dispute centers on the demand for Rt. Hon Sunday Ude-Okoye to be recognized as the PDP National Secretary.
On Tuesday, the South East caucus formally submitted its resolution to the National Working Committee (NWC) at the PDP national secretariat. The caucus insists that Ude-Okoye should be confirmed as National Secretary, following a Supreme Court judgment on March 31, 2025.
Senate Minority Whip, Senator Osita Ngwu, who led the delegation, stated:
“The position of the South East has always been to find a pathway to lasting peace in the PDP and ensure its progress.”
Ngwu recalled previous resolutions supporting the South East’s position, including the PDP Governors Forum’s meeting in Oyo State on April 14, 2025.
Party Leadership Promises Solution
Deputy National Chairman, Ambassador Taofeek Arapaja, represented the acting National Chairman, Ambassador Ilya Damagum, during the meeting. He acknowledged the caucus’s grievances and assured that the issue would be addressed.
“We will look at it, do justice to it, and do our best to resolve the matter,” Arapaja said.
He confirmed that the resolution would be reviewed at the next NWC meeting before being presented to the National Executive Committee (NEC) on May 27.
PDP Appeals for Unity
Arapaja urged the South East caucus to remain with the PDP, describing their frustration as understandable.
“I know you are not happy, and I understand why. But even in anger, we can find a solution,” he said.
Comparing the situation to a landlord abandoning a leaking house, Arapaja called for collective action to resolve internal issues.
“This is the only party that belongs to the people. We can fix this problem together,” he stated.
Zonal Support for Ude-Okoye
PDP’s National Vice Chairman for the South East, Chief Ali Odefa, reiterated that the NWC had previously adopted the Governors Forum’s resolution, supporting Ude-Okoye’s nomination. He confirmed that the South East Zonal Executive Committee unanimously agreed on the nomination during a recent meeting in Enugu State.
Ngwu emphasized the South East’s longstanding loyalty to the PDP and urged party leaders to consider the zone’s contribution.
“This zone has delivered governors and National Assembly members to the PDP in the past. We seek recognition, not new precedents,” Ngwu said.
The PDP leadership reaffirmed its commitment to ensuring a peaceful resolution, with the NEC set to finalize discussions later in May.
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