South-East PDP Issues Ultimatum Regarding Ude-Okoye
The South-East Zonal Executive Committee (ZEC) of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has issued a warning to reassess its association with the party should Sunday Ude-Okoye’s recommendation for the position of national secretary go unacknowledged.
The body announced this at the conclusion of its meeting held at the government house in Enugu, the capital of Enugu State, on Wednesday.
Ali Odefa, the zonal chairman, presented the communiqué, emphasising that the South-East has reliably remained a bastion of the PDP and showcasing steadfast loyalty to the party since its establishment, despite ongoing defections from members in other regions.
The group requests that the National Working Committee maintain its decision and guarantee that the Deputy National Secretary of the PDP acts as the Acting National Secretary until the nominee for the Office of the National Secretary is ratified by NEC, in line with the recommendations of the PDP Governors’ Forum accepted by the NWC.
“The South East ZEC thoroughly discussed the directive from the NWC and reached the conclusion that it provided a reliable route to peace, unity, stability, and progress for our party.” As a result, the ZEC reached a unanimous decision to recommend Hon. Sunday Udeh-Okoye as the candidate to fulfil the remaining term of the National Secretary.
The South-East caucus has indicated that it may reevaluate its ongoing membership in the party if its stance is postponed any further, despite its enduring loyalty to the PDP.
“The South East has always been a bastion of support for the PDP since its establishment. Throughout nearly thirty years of PDP’s existence, we have dedicated our loyalty and everything to the party.
“At present, the party is experiencing a decline in key membership following the 2023 general elections. However, the South East PDP is leading efforts to fortify the party by uniting significant opposition figures. This is evident in Enugu, where the Labour Party (LP) gubernatorial candidate, two LP House of Representatives members, several members of the House of Assembly, and other prominent individuals have joined the PDP.”
“Consequently, we anticipate that this time, the South East PDP’s stance on the Office of the National Secretary will receive the respect and prompt attention it warrants.” The outcome would resolve the unnecessary ongoing disagreement regarding the issue.
“However, should our position not be promptly implemented by the party, the South East PDP, as a family, will be compelled to reassess our relationship with the PDP moving forward,” the communique concluded.
A conflict has arisen between Ude-Okoye and Samuel Anyanwu regarding the role of PDP National Secretary, as both individuals assert their claim to the position.