ABUJA | September 16, 2025

The People’s Democratic Party (PDP) has demanded a legal framework to back the electronic transmission of election results from polling units, insisting it is the only way to guarantee credible elections in Nigeria ahead of the 2027 polls.

At a press conference in Abuja on Monday, the PDP National Publicity Secretary, Debo Ologunagba, said Nigerians wanted their votes to count without manipulation, stressing that electronic result transmission would strengthen democracy and restore public confidence in the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

He urged INEC to urgently resolve the persistent technical glitches affecting the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS), noting that the failures recorded during the 2023 elections undermined credibility. Ologunagba argued that if Point of Sale (POS) machines and Automated Teller Machines (ATMs) function effectively in rural areas, BVAS should not fail at polling units.

On the PDP’s national convention scheduled for November in Ibadan, Ologunagba assured that the exercise would further unite the party and consolidate its readiness to reclaim power in 2027. He confirmed that micro-zoning of national offices across the North and South had been concluded, while the sale of forms for national offices was ongoing in line with the timetable approved by the National Executive Committee (NEC).

He described the PDP as a truly organised and democratic party, adding that the convention would position it as the most credible alternative for Nigerians in the next general elections.

Turning to the appointment of a new INEC Chairman, Ologunagba urged President Bola Tinubu to appoint a truly independent figure capable of conducting free, fair, and credible elections. He emphasised that Nigeria must build strong institutions, not allow individuals to manipulate the electoral process.

On Rivers State politics, Ologunagba welcomed the expectation that Governor Siminalayi Fubara may soon be reinstated, describing it as a constitutional correction that would restore the people’s mandate and return democratic governance under a competent leader. GMTNewsng

● 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