The South East Caucus of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has urged the party’s National Working Committee (NWC) and other key stakeholders to uphold the resolution of the region by supporting its nominee, Sunday Ude-Okoye, for the position of National Secretary.
On Tuesday in Abuja, Senator Osita Ngwu, speaking on behalf of the South East, formally presented the region’s resolution, which unanimously endorsed the former National Youth Leader, Ude-Okoye, as the party’s candidate for the National Secretary position.
Naija News understands that the PDP has been beset with internal conflicts since the 2023 elections, with tensions escalating in December 2024.
During this period, both the South East Zonal Caucus and a lower court recognised Sunday Ude-Okoye as the rightful National Secretary of the PDP.
While the party’s governors, Board of Trustees, and NWC accepted this ruling, Senator Samuel Anyanwu sought to challenge the decision at the Supreme Court.
However, on March 21, the Supreme Court dismissed Anyanwu’s challenge, affirming that internal party matters were beyond judicial interference.
Following the court ruling, on April 14, PDP governors urged the South East to propose a new nominee for National Secretary and subsequently endorsed Koshoedo for the position. This recommendation was ratified by the NWC during its 600th meeting on April 29.
Despite this endorsement, the disagreement over the National Secretary position remains unresolved, leading to growing divisions within the party’s leadership.
To address the ongoing crisis, both current and former governors appointed former Senate President Bukola Saraki to lead a seven-member committee tasked with mediating the issue ahead of the May 27 National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting and the party’s elective convention in August.
At a meeting held on May 14, the South East Zonal Caucus unanimously reaffirmed its stance, reiterating Sunday Ude-Okoye as its nominee for National Secretary.
In his address, Senator Ngwu emphasised the Southeast’s desire for party unity and progress.
He said, “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. 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.”