ENUGU – A serious political storm is brewing within the South-East wing of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) as prominent leaders in the zone have accused Enugu State Governor, Dr. Peter Mbah, of attempting to destabilize the party and undermine constitutional authority.
In a strongly-worded statement issued on Tuesday by Chief A.U. Nwachukwu, Chairman of the South-East PDP Leaders Forum, the group alleged that Governor Mbah is collaborating with expelled former Zonal Chairman, Chief Ali Odefa, in a bid to illegally remove Senator Samuel Anyanwu as the party’s National Secretary.
The leaders emphasized that Senator Anyanwu’s position has already been affirmed by the Supreme Court and officially recognized by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). “Governor Mbah is planning to destroy our party,” the statement warned, accusing him of issuing an ultimatum that the PDP must reverse the court ruling or risk his defection.
The forum further criticized the governor for convening what they termed an unauthorized meeting of the South-East Zonal Executive Committee (ZEC)—a meeting they claim only the National Vice Chairman (South-East) is constitutionally allowed to summon.
Describing the gathering as a deceptive mobilization exercise, the forum alleged that it was a pretext to force support for the recognition of Deputy National Secretary Mr. Setonji Koshoedo as Acting National Secretary, which they say violates the party’s constitution.
“Some of the attendees were misled, unaware of the meeting’s true purpose,” the statement added.
The group also raised concerns over Chief Odefa’s involvement, noting that his expulsion from the party in November 2024 had been upheld by the Federal High Court in Abakaliki. Legal advisers at both national and zonal levels have reportedly affirmed that Odefa is no longer a PDP member.
Amidst the internal strife, the South-East PDP leaders expressed strong support for the party’s current national leadership, including Acting National Chairman Ambassador Umar Damagum, National Secretary Senator Anyanwu, and the Reformation Committee led by former Senate President Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki.
They urged members across the region to remain steadfast and resist what they described as an attack on the PDP’s internal democracy and constitutional values.
“The PDP will not be held hostage by personal ambitions,” the statement concluded. “The rule of law, party constitution, and integrity of our democratic institutions must prevail.”
