PDP Crisis Deepens As NWC Urges South-East To Reconsider Threat

The crisis rocking the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) over its national secretary position escalated Monday, as the party’s leadership in Abuja urged the South-East Zonal Caucus led by Ali Odefa to withdraw its threat to sever ties with the party if its nominee, Sunday Ude-Okoye, is not ratified.

Following a strong-worded resolution by the South-East PDP last Wednesday in Enugu, where the zone warned it might “reconsider its relationship with the PDP” if its unanimous choice of Ude-Okoye is rejected, the party’s National Working Committee (NWC) responded by calling for patience and dialogue.

Acting National Chairman Umar Damagum, represented by Deputy Chairman (South), Taofeek Arapaja, received the resolution in Abuja, saying: “We will look at it. We will do justice to it. But NEC has the final say.”

While acknowledging the zone’s displeasure, Damagum pleaded for calm, likening the current tensions to a leaking house that shouldn’t force the landlord to flee:

He said: “You are angry, yes, but we can fix this. We will resolve it. The PDP remains the only party that truly belongs to the people.”

Senator Osita Ngwu, who presented the South-East resolution, reiterated that the caucus was unanimous in nominating Ude-Okoye, a former national youth leader, as National Secretary.

In sharp contrast, the faction loyal to embattled National Secretary Senator Samuel Anyanwu, presided over by Chidiebere Egwu, insisted the position is not vacant.

Quoting a Supreme Court ruling and referencing INEC’s compliance, the group declared: “The Deputy National Secretary can only act in the absence of the National Secretary. Any attempt to act otherwise is unconstitutional and illegal.”

They also dismissed the Enugu meeting that produced Ude-Okoye as illegitimate, claiming Ali Odefa had been expelled from the PDP since January via a Federal High Court judgment in Abakaliki.

Udenwa: APC Has a Hand in PDP Crisis

Former Imo Governor Achike Udenwa added another dimension, accusing the All Progressives Congress (APC) of exploiting the PDP’s internal divisions: “What is happening to us today in the PDP, APC has a hand in it. But APC can never be a destination for the South-East caucus.”

He defended the South-East’s right to nominate the National Secretary, arguing that Anyanwu vacated the seat upon contesting the 2023 Imo governorship election.

“We’ve made nominations three times, but they were all ignored. We’re a constitutional zone in the PDP, and our position should stand,” Udenwa stressed.

He also rejected suggestions that Wike was orchestrating the resistance against Ude-Okoye: “Wike has no powers above the zonal caucus. He’s just one member of NEC. The caucus’ decision is binding.”

Ikpeazu Appeals for Unity

In a more conciliatory tone, former Abia State governor, Okezie Ikpeazu, appealed to PDP leaders in the South-East to close ranks and avoid destroying the party: “Even in its weakest moment, the ghost of the PDP is stronger than most political parties in Nigeria.”

He urged that Senator Anyanwu be allowed to complete his term, which ends in December, and called on stakeholders to await the outcome of the Saraki-led reconciliation committee: “Let’s not allow ourselves to be distracted by internal wrangling.”

The post PDP Crisis Deepens As NWC Urges South-East To Reconsider Threat appeared first on Naija News.