“Forces Behind Anyanwu Not Bigger Than South-East Caucus” – Udenwa

Former Imo State governor, Achike Udenwa, has stated that the political forces backing embattled PDP National Secretary, Samuel Anyanwu, are not greater than the authority of the South-East Caucus of the Peoples Democratic Party. Speaking during an appearance on Arise Television’s *Morning Show* on Tuesday, Udenwa reaffirmed the caucus’s support for Sunday Ude-Okoye as the legitimate National Secretary of the party.

Udenwa criticized the PDP committee led by former Senate President Bukola Saraki for recognizing Anyanwu, arguing that his tenure effectively ended when he chose to run for the Imo State governorship. According to him, that decision vacated the position, allowing the South-East Caucus the constitutional right to nominate a replacement.

“For over a year, we have consistently nominated Ude-Okoye as the substantive National Secretary,” Udenwa said. “It is our prerogative as a zonal caucus, and we have presented our candidate as required. If our choice keeps being rejected, it appears we are being sidelined, and that’s unacceptable.”

He warned against any attempt to override the caucus’s authority, stating that the South-East is an integral zone within the PDP whose decisions must be respected at the national level. Udenwa emphasized that no individual, including prominent party figures like former Rivers State Governor Nyesom Wike, possesses the power to supersede the caucus.

“This party has a constitution and procedures. No one man can override what a zone decides. Wike is a respected member of the party, but his influence cannot cancel out the collective decision of the South-East Caucus,” Udenwa said. “The recommendation from our zone is binding and must be respected.”

The internal dispute over the National Secretary position continues to test the PDP’s internal unity, with the South-East insisting on its right to determine its representation within the party’s national leadership.