The South-East Zonal Executive Committee (ZEC) of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has warned it may review its relationship with the party if its recommendation of Sunday Udeh-Okoye as National Secretary is not honoured.
The threat was issued in a communique released on Wednesday at the end of the committee’s meeting held at the Government House in Enugu, the Enugu State capital.
Reading the communique, ZEC Chairman, Ali Odefa, emphasized the South-East’s unwavering loyalty to the PDP since its formation, noting that the zone has remained steadfast even as members in other regions continue to defect from the party.
The zonal leadership called on the National Working Committee (NWC) to respect its earlier decision, urging that the Deputy National Secretary immediately assume the role of Acting National Secretary pending the formal ratification of a substantive secretary by the National Executive Committee (NEC), in line with recommendations from the PDP Governors’ Forum as adopted by the NWC.
“The South East ZEC exhaustively deliberated on the directive of the NWC and came to the conclusion that it offered a sure pathway to peace, unity, stability, and progress of our party,” the statement read. “Consequently, the ZEC unanimously recommended Hon. Sunday Udeh-Okoye as the candidate to complete the term of office of the National Secretary.”
The South-East PDP warned that further delay in honouring its position could force it to reconsider its place within the party.
“The South East has consistently served as a stronghold of the PDP from inception. In PDP’s near three-decade existence, we have given our loyalty and all to the party,” the caucus stated.
It noted that, while the PDP continues to lose members following the 2023 general elections, the South-East has remained proactive in strengthening the party, citing recent high-profile defections into the PDP from the Labour Party in Enugu.
The zonal leadership appealed to the national leadership to act swiftly on the matter, saying that prompt resolution would put an end to the “needless lingering dispute.”
