The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Governors’ Forum has thrown its weight behind Sunday Ude-Okoye as the party’s National Secretary, adding a new twist to the ongoing leadership crisis within the opposition party.
Rising from an emergency meeting held in Asaba, Delta State, the governors based their decision on the recent Court of Appeal judgment, which affirmed Ude-Okoye—a former PDP National Youth Leader—as the legitimate National Secretary.
The Forum directed the National Working Committee (NWC) to comply with and implement the court’s ruling.
However, Senator Samuel Anyanwu, who insists he has filed a stay of execution at the Supreme Court against the appeal court’s verdict, dismissed the governors’ resolution. When contacted last night, he downplayed their communiqué, saying it was not a cause for concern.
Meanwhile, a former Deputy National Chairman of the PDP, Chief Olabode George, expressed concern over the party’s internal crisis, warning that if unresolved, it could jeopardize the PDP’s chances in the 2027 general elections.
In a related development, Senator Ned Nwoko, representing Delta North, formally announced his exit from the PDP, citing deep divisions and factional struggles within the party.
In its communiqué, the PDP Governors’ Forum also urged the NWC to reschedule the National Executive Council (NEC) meeting for March 13, 2025, instead of the previously planned February date.
The Forum acknowledged efforts to resolve the National Secretary dispute and reaffirmed its commitment to the Court of Appeal ruling. It urged the NWC to take immediate steps to enforce the judgment.
After reviewing all legal requirements for convening a valid NEC meeting, the Forum advised the NWC to proceed with preparations for the March 13 gathering.
