Governor Peter Mbah of Enugu State has sent a strong and clear message to the leadership of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), urging the party to respect the decision of the Southeast region in the ongoing leadership tussle over who should be the party’s National Secretary.
Speaking after a closed door meeting with top Southeast PDP leaders at the Government House in Enugu, Mbah said the region's choice of Sunday Udeh Okoye as the rightful National Secretary must be honored. He warned that if the party fails to do so, members in the Southeast might begin to reconsider their continued loyalty and membership in the PDP.
“We in the Southeast have taken a clear position, and that position must be respected. If the party does not put its house in order, we reserve the right to review our membership,” Mbah said firmly.
The meeting brought together many important figures within the PDP. Present were:
- Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State
- PDP Board of Trustees Chairperson, Adolphus Wabara
- South-east Zonal PDP Chairman, Ali Odefa
- Former Enugu Governor, Okwesilieze Nwodo
- Former Ebonyi Governor, Sam Egwu
- Former Minister for Women Affairs, Josephine Anenih
...and several other respected PDP stakeholders from the region.
Their presence showed that this is not just Mbah’s personal opinion, but a collective stand taken by major political figures in the Southeast.
This leadership crisis began with a power struggle between Samuel Anyanwu and Sunday Udeh Okoye. While Anyanwu insists he still holds the position of National Secretary, the Southeast PDP leadership nominated Udeh Okoye back in October 2023 and then reconfirmed that decision in May 2025.
Supporters of Udeh Okoye believe the Southeast has the right to choose someone to fill that position since it is zoned to the region. They argue that Anyanwu has since contested another position (governorship of Imo State), and therefore can no longer keep the office of National Secretary.
The issue has led to court cases and legal confusion. Recently, the Supreme Court cancelled earlier court rulings that had removed Anyanwu from office, which some interpreted it as a win for him. However, Southeast PDP leaders disagree.
They say the Supreme Court’s decision did not give Anyanwu a permanent seat. Instead, they argue that internal matters like who becomes National Secretary should be decided by the party, not by the courts. They believe that the PDP’s internal leadership and processes should be respected.
Governor Mbah did not make empty threats. He expressed deep frustration over how the Southeast is being treated. He noted that the region has always been a loyal supporter of the PDP, even during difficult times. But loyalty does not mean silence, and the governor made it clear that the region would not allow itself to be ignored.
He also threw his full support behind the National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting scheduled for June 30, describing it as a critical moment for the PDP to resolve its internal crisis and move forward.
This crisis could seriously weaken the PDP ahead of future elections. The Southeast is one of the party’s strongest support zones. If party leaders fail to address this issue and continue to ignore the concerns of key regions, the PDP may face internal collapse and loss of public trust.
Governor Mbah and other Southeast leaders have shown that they are willing to work with the party but only if they are respected. Their message is simple: treat us fairly, or we may walk away.
In summary as Nigeria moves closer to another election cycle, unity within political parties is more important than ever. Governor Mbah’s warning should not be taken lightly. The PDP still has time to correct the situation, but that time is running out.
If the party wants to stay relevant and competitive, it must start by resolving its leadership issues and listening to its loyal members, especially those in the Southeast who have stood by the PDP for decades
