● Stephanie Daberechukwu 

Enugu, Nigeria – May 14, 2025
In a decisive move aimed at restoring unity and stability within the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), the South East Zonal Executive Committee (ZEC) on Wednesday unanimously endorsed Hon. Sunday Udeh-Okoye as the rightful candidate to complete the tenure of the party’s National Secretary. The meeting, held at the Government House in Enugu, came on the heels of a Supreme Court verdict affirming the autonomy of political parties in resolving internal leadership disputes.

Chaired by Chief Ali Odefa, the South East PDP Zonal Chairman, the high-level gathering of party leaders resolved to adopt the recommendations of the PDP Governors’ Forum and the National Working Committee (NWC), which directed the zone to put forward a nominee for the National Secretary position zoned to it.

“We believe the directive of the NWC offers a sure pathway to peace, unity, stability, and progress of our party,” said Chief Odefa. “Consequently, the ZEC unanimously recommended Hon. Sunday Udeh-Okoye as the candidate to complete the term of office of the National Secretary.”

The communique issued at the end of the meeting urged the NWC to uphold its April 29, 2025 resolution – taken during its 600th meeting in Abuja – by allowing the Deputy National Secretary to act in the interim until the NEC ratifies Udeh-Okoye’s nomination.

The endorsement reignites a long-standing internal debate that has seen the South East ZEC reiterate the same position multiple times without final implementation. The zone had previously nominated Udeh-Okoye in October 2023, reaffirmed the choice in February 2024, and again in January 2025, all without official ratification.

“Our zone has had to go through this process for the umpteenth time,” the communique noted with visible frustration. “Unlike other zones where vacant national offices are seamlessly filled, the South East has faced repeated delays.”

The PDP in the South East emphasized its unwavering loyalty and contributions to the party since inception, even as the PDP grapples with post-2023 election defections. The zone highlighted major inroads in Enugu State, where the Labour Party governorship candidate and two House of Representatives members have returned to the PDP. In a notable turnaround, the party’s seats in the Enugu State House of Assembly have risen from 10 to 20 since the inauguration of the current Assembly.

“This resurgence in Enugu is not accidental,” said one ZEC member who preferred not to be named. “It is a product of strategic engagement and loyalty to the PDP’s ideals, which we expect to be reciprocated.”

The communique concluded with a veiled warning: “We hope that this time around, the position of the South East PDP regarding the Office of the National Secretary is accorded the honour and immediacy it deserves. This would bring to closure the needless lingering dispute over the matter. However, in the event that our position is not promptly implemented by the Party, the South East PDP, as a family, will be compelled to reconsider our relationship with the PDP going forward.”

The latest development is seen as a litmus test for how the PDP intends to manage internal equity, party loyalty, and regional balance ahead of the 2027 general elections. Hon. Sunday Udeh-Okoye, a seasoned political strategist and former National Youth Leader of the PDP, is widely respected across party lines and is expected to bring renewed vigor to the national secretariat if ratified. GMTNewsng

● Ferdinand Agu

Barrister Chijioke Edeoga, the former Labour Party governorship candidate in Enugu State, has officially rejoined the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). Edeoga arrived at the PDP state headquarters in Enugu on Monday to formalize his return, marking a significant political realignment in the state. His move comes months after intense speculation about his political future following the 2023 governorship election.

Reliable sources indicate that Edeoga had met with the Enugu State PDP Chairman late last year in what was described as a strategic discussion on the party’s future. His return to the PDP is expected to reshape the political landscape ahead of the next electoral cycle. Party stakeholders present at the headquarters welcomed him warmly, signaling the PDP’s readiness to consolidate its base.

Speaking briefly to journalists, Edeoga expressed gratitude to his supporters and party leaders for their encouragement, stating that his decision was driven by a commitment to Enugu State’s development. “Politics is about service, and my priority remains the progress of our people,” he said. He, however, did not disclose if he had reached any formal agreement with the PDP leadership regarding his role in the party’s affairs.

Political pundits suggest that Edeoga’s reentry into the PDP might be aimed at addressing what they describe as the abysmal representation of Enugu East Senatorial District at the upper chamber of the National Assembly. Given his political experience and strong following, his return could position him as a formidable contender in future elections, particularly as calls for more effective representation in the Senate continue to grow.

As the political landscape continues to evolve, observers will be watching how Edeoga’s reentry influences PDP’s internal dynamics and future electoral strategies. Party insiders suggest that further meetings will be held in the coming days to discuss his reintegration and possible roles within the party structure. GMTNewsng

••• Calls for postponement of NEC meeting to 13th March

••• Urges FG to revisit macroeconomic policies over hardship

The Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Governors Forum rose from its first 2025 monthly meeting held in Asaba, Delta State capital, on Friday, with a resolution backing the judgment of the Court of Appeal, which pronounced the former National Youth Leader of the party, Hon. S.K.E Udeh-Okoye, as the authentic National Secretary of the PDP and advised the party’s National Working Committee (NWC) to implement the court decision accordingly.

The Forum equally advised the NWC to reschedule to 13th March 2025 the National Executive Council, NEC, meeting of the party earlier fixed for February.

This was even as the party rued the hardship in the land and called on the President Bola Tinubu-led All Progressives Congress, APC, Federal Government to revisit its macroeconomic policies to mitigate the sufferings of the Nigerian masses.

These were contained in a communique issued at the end of the meeting, which had in attendance the Chairman of the Forum and Governor of Bauchi State, Senator Bala Mohammed, Governor Siminalayi Fubara of Rivers State, Governor Peter Mbah of Enugu State, Governor Sheriff Oborevwori of Delta State, Governor Umo Eno of Akwa Ibom State, Governor Diri Duoye of Bayelsa State, Governor Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri of Adamawa State, Governor Ademola Adeleke of Osun State, Governor Muftwang of Plateau State, Governor Agbu kefas of Taraba State, Governor Dauda Lawal of Zamfara State, and the Deputy Governor of Oyo State, Barr. Bayo Lawal.

The communique rendered by the Forum’s Chairman read, “The Forum employed the occasion to review the performance of member states in particular and the state of the nation in general, as well as developments in the party, as at the end of 2024.

“The Meeting noted that the macro-economic policies of the Federal Government had inflicted hardship and pain on the polity; therefore, the Forum calls on the Federal Government to either revisit or rejig its macro-economic policies to ameliorate and stop the hardship/pains that they have inflicted on Nigerians as no meaningful/impactful achievements in the states will be achieved until the harsh policies are addressed.

“The Forum noted with delight the ongoing efforts at resolving the crisis in the National Working Committee, NWC, on the position of the National Secretary, and has reaffirmed its support for the Court of Appeal judgment; consequently, the Forum advised the NWC to set up the machinery for the effective implementation of the court judgment.

“The Forum having examined all the notices required by law to be given to validly convoke NEC advised NWC to reschedule NEC to the thirteenth (13th) of March 2025.”

The Forum went further to express concerns over what it termed the resurgence of non-state actors and called for the strengthening of the nation’s security architecture.

It enjoined Nigerians not to despair over the hardship in the land, as it would soon return to power to fix the nation.

“While commending the country’s valiant and patriotic Armed Forces and security agencies for maintaining the frontline in securing the country and the gains of our gallant personnel against bandits in parts of the country, the Forum viewed with deep concern the resurgence of brazen non-state actors. It therefore calls for the strengthening of the nation’s security architecture.

“Finally, the Forum enjoined Nigerians not to despair in the face of the prevailing hardships with the firm assurance that the PDP will remain committed to returning our great nation to the glorious days of pre-2015 era of manageable costs of living, security of lives and property and greater unity and prosperity for all citizens,” the communique further read.

The Forum commended governors of member states “for pursuing policies and programmes that not only ameliorated the plight of the people but were also aimed at creating the foundation for sustainable development in their various states.

It lauded Governor Oborevwori for the giant strides recorded by his administration in the areas of infrastructure, environmental remediation, people empowerment and combating insecurity in Delta State. GMTNewsng