PDP Crisis: Governor Peter Mbah Backs South-East ZEC, BOT, and NWC Ahead of NEC Meeting

ENUGU – Governor Peter Mbah of Enugu State has declared unwavering support for the positions held by the Peoples Democratic Party’s (PDP) National Working Committee (NWC), the Board of Trustees (BoT), and the South-East Zonal Executive Committee (ZEC) in the ongoing internal crisis shaking the foundations of the main opposition party.

Speaking on Sunday after a high-level closed-door meeting in Enugu with key party leaders—including Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde, PDP BoT Chairman Senator Adolphus Wabara, South-East Zonal Chairman Chief Ali Odefa, and several PDP stalwarts—Mbah made it clear that he aligns with the zone’s demand concerning the National Secretaryship, warning that the zone may reconsider its future in the party if their position is not honoured.

While reaffirming his membership of the PDP, Mbah didn’t conceal his frustration with the internal wrangling that has plagued the party for months. “I am still a member of the PDP,” he said, “but I am simply fed up with the shenanigans that have, more or less, made the party an endless circus.”

South-East PDP Caucus Holds Firm

Governor Mbah emphasized that the South-East’s insistence on retaining the National Secretary position is not just a political bargaining tool but a fundamental assertion of fairness and internal equity. This sentiment, he stressed, was formally adopted during the last zonal meeting held in Enugu, where party leaders from the region agreed to “review” their continued loyalty to the PDP if the zone’s rights were ignored.

“The caucus noted that the party should not disregard the zone’s stand regarding the National Secretary position. To all intents and purposes, this has obviously not been the case,” Mbah stated emphatically.

He further added that the communique issued after that zonal meeting, which outlined the South-East’s stance on the National Secretary issue, remains sacrosanct. The governor’s remarks reflect a growing sense of alienation among PDP loyalists from the region who feel that their voices have been marginalised in the party’s internal politics.

High-Profile Support from PDP Elders

The Enugu meeting drew the presence of several influential PDP figures, signaling the gravity of the issue. Among those in attendance were former PDP National Chairman and BoT member Dr Okwesilieze Nwodo, former Governor of Ebonyi State Senator Sam Egwu, former Minister Iyom Josephine Anenih, Senator Ben Obi, and Sunday Udeh-Okoye—one of the key figures in the National Secretary controversy.

The collective presence of these heavyweight party members underlines the regional unity around the issue and the seriousness with which the South-East is approaching the crisis. For many of them, the dispute is not just about a party position but about the PDP’s willingness to honour its zoning arrangements and internal agreements.

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Looking Ahead to the 100th NEC Meeting

Governor Mbah also expressed strong support for the scheduled 100th National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting of the PDP, set for Monday, June 30, 2025. He underscored that this meeting would serve as a litmus test for the party’s leadership and its commitment to addressing internal grievances.

The NEC, being the highest decision-making organ of the party, is expected to deliberate on the ongoing leadership tussle, particularly the battle for the National Secretary seat, which currently pits Senator Samuel Anyanwu against Sunday Udeh-Okoye. The South-East insists that the latter should be officially recognised in line with regional consensus.

Party insiders suggest that failure to resolve the matter in favour of the South-East could lead to severe political ramifications, including defections and a further weakening of the PDP’s structure ahead of future elections.

A Crossroads for the PDP

Governor Mbah’s remarks have added urgency to the unfolding drama within Nigeria’s oldest surviving opposition party. His stance represents a broader sentiment of dissatisfaction among South-East PDP members who feel that the zone has been sidelined in key national deliberations.

For the PDP, already grappling with identity and relevance post-2023 elections, the outcome of the June 30 NEC meeting could determine whether it can restore internal cohesion or continue its descent into factionalism.

Mbah’s message was clear: if the PDP is to remain a credible political platform, it must recommit to its founding principles of equity, internal democracy, and regional balance. Ignoring these principles, he warned, could lead the South-East—and perhaps others—to reassess their loyalty to the party.