South East PDP Demands Recognition of Udeh-Okoye as National Secretary, Spoils for Showdown with National Working Committee

The South East chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has issued a stern call to the National Working Committee (NWC) and other party organs to promptly ratify Hon. Sunday Udeh-Okoye as the National Secretary, in accordance with the zone’s decision, the PDP Constitution, and a valid court order.

Expressing discontent with what they perceive as mistreatment by the PDP, leaders of the South East PDP emphasized their refusal to endure further delays in the ratification process, asserting that the zone would not tolerate being treated as slaves within the party.

The demand was made during a meeting of the South East Zonal Executive Committee and party leaders in Enugu, presided over by Governor Peter Mbah and attended by notable figures such as Chief Ali Odefa, Senator Adolphus Wabara, Achike Udenwa, Sam Egwu, Emeka Ihedioha, and other key party chieftains.

Governor Peter Mbah stated, “We have carried the banner of PDP in the South East with great pride. It would be a mistake if that position is disrespected when we, as a people, make decisions in line with our party’s Constitution and electoral guidelines.”

Senator Adolphus Wabara expressed concern over the perceived mistreatment, saying, “I feel pained that the Igbo are being mistreated. We are being treated like slaves. Therefore, we will leave here with a far-reaching decision, and that decision must be carried.”

Chief Ali Odefa, while delivering the communique, reiterated the South East’s decision to replace Senator Samuel Anyanwu with S.K.E. Udeh-Okoye as the National Secretary, emphasizing the constitutional basis for the change.

The communique highlighted the automatic resignation requirement as per the PDP Constitution when an elected national officer contests an elective office. It detailed that Senator Anyanwu, who contested the PDP Governorship primaries in Imo State, had relinquished his position, as affirmed by a court ruling.

The party called upon the PDP NWC, Governors’ Forum, Board of Trustees, National Assembly Caucus, and all stakeholders to recognize S.K.E Udeh-Okoye as the authentic National Secretary. The leaders emphasized the need to uphold the nomination of the South East Zone to prevent external forces from destabilizing the party.

The PDP leaders present at the meeting, including former governors Achike Udenwa, Sam Egwu, and Emeka Ihedioha, former PDP National Chairman Okwesilieze Nwodo, Senate Minority Whip Senator Osita Ngwu, and BOT members, showed a united front in support of the demand for Udeh-Okoye’s recognition.