PDP crisis deepens as Governors throw weight behind Okoye as Party’s National Sec

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Governors’ Forum has officially endorsed the recent ruling by the Court of Appeal, which recognised Sunday Udeh-Okoye as the authentic National Secretary of the party.

The resolution, made during the Forum’s inaugural monthly meeting of 2025 in Asaba, Delta State, called on the PDP National Working Committee (NWC) to promptly enforce the court’s judgment.

The governors also took the opportunity to request a rescheduling of the party’s National Executive Council (NEC) meeting, initially set for February. They have proposed a new date of March 13, 2025, to ensure adequate preparation for the gathering.

In addition to party matters, the Forum expressed concern over the ongoing economic challenges facing Nigerians.

The governors urged President Bola Tinubu’s administration to reassess its macroeconomic policies to alleviate the hardships faced by the populace.

During the meeting, a significant issue of internal party unrest was also addressed.

Former PDP Deputy National Chairman, Chief Olabode George, condemned the violent clashes that marred the 79th meeting of the party’s Board of Trustees (BoT) in Abuja, calling for immediate steps to restore order and discipline within the party.

The meeting was attended by notable governors, including the Forum’s Chairman, Governor Bala Mohammed of Bauchi State, as well as Governors Siminalayi Fubara (Rivers), Peter Mbah (Enugu), Sheriff Oborevwori (Delta), Umo Eno (Akwa Ibom), Duoye Diri (Bayelsa), Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri (Adamawa), Ademola Adeleke (Osun), Muftwang (Plateau), Agbu Kefas (Taraba), and Dauda Lawal (Zamfara), along with Deputy Governor Bayo Lawal of Oyo State.
 
A communiqué rendered by Mohammed at the end of the meeting read: “The Forum employed the occasion to review the performance of member states in particular and the state of the nation in general, as well as developments in the party, as at the end of 2024.
 
“The meeting noted that the macro-economic policies of the Federal Government had inflicted hardship and pain on the polity; therefore, the Forum calls on the Federal Government to either revisit or re-jig its macro-economic policies to ameliorate and stop the hardship/pains that they have inflicted on Nigerians as no meaningful/impactful achievements in the states will be achieved until the harsh policies are addressed.
 
“The Forum noted with delight the ongoing efforts at resolving the crisis in the NWC on the position of the National Secretary, and has reaffirmed its support for the Court of Appeal judgment; consequently, the Forum advised the NWC to set up the machinery for the effective implementation of the court judgment.
 
“The Forum having examined all the notices required by law to be given to validly convoke NEC advised NWC to reschedule NEC to March, 13, 2025.”
 
The governors went further to express concerns over what they described as the resurgence of non-state actors, urging the need to strengthen the nation’s security framework.

They encouraged Nigerians not to lose hope amid the country’s current challenges, assuring that they would soon return to power to address the nation’s issues.

The Forum commended the governors of member states for implementing policies and programs that not only alleviated the suffering of the people but also laid the groundwork for sustainable development across their regions.

They also praised Governor Oborevwori for the significant progress his administration has made in improving infrastructure, addressing environmental issues, empowering the people, and combating insecurity in Delta State.

Speaking on the state of affairs within the party during a meeting in Lagos, George condemned the violent incident where thugs stormed the party secretariat during a Board of Trustees (BoT) meeting.

He called it “despicable, horrific, inhuman, wicked, and unprecedented.”

Expressing his deep disappointment and concern over the escalating violence within the party, George emphasised that such actions undermine the very principles of democracy.

He urged the party leadership to take strong action against those responsible, stressing that “no one is too important to face discipline” and “no one is too big to be expelled.”

George called on party leaders to show resolve in defending democratic principles and the rule of law.

He also raised concerns about the party’s future, warning that “unless we are united, with fairness, equity, and justice guiding every decision, the party will face disaster in 2027.”

He stressed the importance of unity and collaboration, urging leaders to put aside personal interests for the greater good of the party.