…as zonal leaders reaffirm Ude-Okoye’s nomination as National Secretary
The South East Zonal Executive Committee of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) on Tuesday formally submitted a resolution to the party’s national leadership reaffirming its nomination of Rt. Hon. Sunday Ude-Okoye as the rightful National Secretary of the party.
The resolution was presented to the Deputy National Chairman (South), Ambassador Taofeek Arapaja, at the PDP National Secretariat in Abuja by Senate Minority Leader Osita Ngwu. Arapaja, who stood in for the Acting National Chairman, Ambassador Iliya Damagum, assured the delegation that the party would give the matter due consideration, while expressing confidence in the PDP’s capacity to reclaim political control in the South East.
He hoped that the party which once controlled all states in the region would re-establish its dominance in future elections.
“We will do our best. The resolution will be discussed during our next meeting and then transmitted to the National Executive Committee (NEC), where a final decision will be taken,” Arapaja said.
“Together, we will fix the issues. This is the only party that truly belongs to the people. I am confident the PDP will reclaim the four states we lost in the South East.”
Arapaja also addressed discontent within the party ranks, urging aggrieved members not to abandon the PDP over internal challenges. “Even when you are angry, you don’t run out of your own house because the roof is leaking. What you do is fix it. And I know we can fix it,” he said.
In his remarks, Senator Ngwu recounted the steps taken by the zone to comply with party procedures following the March 31, 2025, Supreme Court judgment, which ended the legal tussle over the National Secretary position. According to him, the PDP Governors’ Forum on April 14 and the National Working Committee (NWC) on April 29 had both resolved that the South East Zonal Executive should meet and submit a nominee for the role.
“That is why we are here today,” Ngwu said.
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“We met on May 14 at the Enugu State Government House and unanimously re-nominated Hon. Sunday Ude-Okoye, a former National Youth Leader of our party. We are not asking for anything new; this follows established party precedent.”
The Senate Minority Leader appealed to the party leadership to treat the zone’s resolution with fairness, citing the South East’s historical loyalty to the PDP.
“This zone has delivered governors and National Assembly members consistently for the party. We are eager to restore our pride and contribute meaningfully to the PDP’s resurgence,” he added.
Ngwu further emphasized that resolving the issue of the National Secretary would be a major step toward uniting the party and boosting morale ahead of future elections.
Arapaja echoed that sentiment, describing the PDP as a party of inclusivity and resilience.
“This is the only natural political party in Nigeria. We may have our challenges, but we always find a way to resolve them – because this is a family,” he said.
The PDP currently controls only one of the five states in the South East – Enugu – and has been working to rebuild its base across the region following recent electoral losses.
The leadership dispute over the National Secretary position had been a lingering source of tension, and Tuesday’s submission marks a significant step toward its resolution.
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