The South East Caucus of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has thrown its full weight behind Sunday Ude-Okoye, urging the National Working Committee (NWC) and other party stakeholders to retain him as the party’s National Secretary.
The call was made on Tuesday in Abuja by Senate Minority Whip, Senator Osita Ngwu, who presented the South East’s unanimous resolution endorsing Ude-Okoye, a former National Youth Leader, for the key position. This comes amid intensifying internal wrangling that has gripped the PDP since its 2023 electoral defeat.
The leadership tussle took a new turn in December 2024, when a lower court and the South East Zonal Caucus recognized Ude-Okoye as the rightful National Secretary. While the party’s governors, the Board of Trustees, and the NWC embraced the decision, Senator Samuel Anyanwu escalated the matter to the Supreme Court. But on March 21, the apex court dismissed his suit, reiterating that party affairs should not be subject to judicial intervention.
Despite the Supreme Court’s ruling, party turbulence deepened. On April 14, PDP governors asked the South East to present a fresh nominee and backed Koshoedo for the role, a decision the NWC ratified during its 600th meeting on April 29. This move further fractured party unity, reigniting tensions over leadership legitimacy.
To quell the storm, PDP stakeholders appointed former Senate President Bukola Saraki to lead a high-powered reconciliation committee ahead of the May 27 National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting and the much-anticipated August elective convention.
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However, the South East Caucus has remained steadfast. In a follow-up meeting held on May 14, the zone reaffirmed its support for Ude-Okoye, urging party leaders to honour established precedents and respect the region’s decision.
“We are not issuing commands,” Senator Ngwu stated during Tuesday’s presentation. “But we are making a passionate appeal. The South East’s request should not be ignored. For the sake of unity, fairness, and the future of our great party, we ask the leadership to consider our position.”
As PDP navigates this turbulent period, the outcome of this power struggle could shape its political fortunes ahead of 2027.