South-east PDP leaders issue defection threat over injustice

DDM News

Prominent leaders of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) from Nigeria’s South-East zone have threatened to exit the party en masse if their concerns are not urgently addressed.

The call came during the party’s Zonal Executive Committee (ZEC) meeting held in Enugu on Wednesday, where the leaders expressed outrage over what they described as persistent marginalization by the party’s national leadership.

Diaspora Digital Media (DDM) reports that the focal point of the crisis is the party’s failure to recognize SKE Ude-Okoye as the National Secretary of the PDP, a position the South-East zone insists rightfully belongs to him.

In a strongly-worded communique issued at the end of the meeting, the PDP stakeholders warned that if the party fails to ratify Ude-Okoye’s position without delay, the region would be forced to reevaluate its relationship with the PDP.

“All stakeholders, including Governor Peter Mbah and Chief Ali Odefa, made it clear that the South-East is united in this demand,” the statement read.

Speakers at the meeting echoed a unified stance, stating that continued disregard for the zone’s interests would no longer be tolerated.

They insisted that the PDP must acknowledge the constitutional and political right of the zone to produce the National Secretary, and that Ude-Okoye had emerged through due process.

The leaders stressed that the South-East has consistently demonstrated loyalty to the PDP, often delivering overwhelming votes during national elections.

Despite this, they lamented that the region has frequently been sidelined when key appointments and recognitions are made.

“Our patience is wearing thin,” one of the leaders reportedly said. “If we are not respected, we will find our political relevance elsewhere.”

The PDP, established in 1998, has historically maintained a strong base in the South-East region.

However, over the years, tensions have grown due to accusations of internal exclusion and underrepresentation at the national level.

SKE Ude-Okoye, a former PDP National Youth Leader and former Commissioner in Enugu State, is seen by many in the region as a capable leader deserving of national recognition.

Observers believe the defection threat could destabilize the PDP ahead of the 2027 elections, especially if rival parties seize the opportunity to woo dissatisfied members.

As of the time of filing this report, the PDP national leadership had not issued a formal response to the ultimatum issued by the South-East leaders.

Political watchers warn that failure to address the issue may result in a significant weakening of the party’s influence in one of its traditional strongholds.

The coming weeks are expected to be critical in determining whether reconciliation is still possible or if the party will suffer a major internal fracture.

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