politics
2023 Zoning: Pressure mounts on Secondus as more PDP govs threaten defection

… BoT, NASS caucus divided
The National Working Committee of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has come under increasing pressure to declare its position on which of the zones will produce the party’s presidential flag bearer in the 2023 election.
The situation is not helped by threats by more governors elected on the platform of the party to switch camps if the party leadership fails to show more commitment to zoning the presidential ticket to the southern region.
The zoning problem was cited by Governor David Umahi of Ebonyi State for his recent defection to the All Progressives Congress (APC).
Party sources said the situation has sent panic into the Uche Secondus-led NWC, prompting it to launch moves to placate protesting members of the party across the country to avoid losing more members to the APC.
Sources said the national leadership of the PDP decided to talk to aggrieved chieftains after it became obvious that the various organs of the party might not be able to stop a mass defection if the issue of zoning was not addressed urgently.
Umahi had, penultimate Tuesday, exposed how serious the defection threats within the PDP are when he dumped the party and pitched his tent with the APC.
He said his action was caused by the failure of the opposition party to cede the 2023 presidential ticket to the Southeast zone.
Sequel to the Umahi move, the party immediately convened a meeting of its National Executive Committee (NEC) in Abuja.
Speaking at the end of the meeting, the Chairman of the PDP Governors’ Forum and Sokoto State Governor, Aminu Tambuwal, said “all 15 of us are here present.
“This is a clear statement that we are united and working towards strengthening our party for the future.”
Secondus sought to down play Umahi’s defection by describing it as a ‘one-off’ .
He said all other PDP governors were committed to staying in the party.
But sources at the meeting said some governors, National Assembly members and other chieftains of the party, especially from the three southern zones, have openly expressed dissatisfaction at the failure of the NWC to openly confirm the PDP’s readiness to respect its zoning arrangement in 2023.
He added: “It was a very frank moment for us all as many of our chieftains from the south blamed the gale of defection rocking the party in the zone on the silence of PDP leadership on the zoning debate.
“Governors and legislators from the zone urged the leadership to take a categorical stand on the matter there and then at the meeting to forestall further defections.
“A number of them actually said they would leave the party if the ticket was not given to the south.”
The NEC, it was gathered, rose without addressing the grievance of the complainants.
Continuing, the source said: “This development has further escalated the disaffections within the party as more members are now threatening to leave if the PDP leadership fails to publicly announce the zoning of its 2023 presidential ticket to the south.
“At the last count, no fewer than three southern governors have made it clear that they will leave the party if Secondus and the NWC fail to openly endorse the zoning of the 2023 presidential ticket to the south.
“One of the governors had, after the meeting, communicated to the NWC that it is the desire of the people of his state to support only a party that fields a southerner as its presidential candidate in 2023.
“It is clear that the communication is a way of telling the party what he plans to do very soon. I can also tell you that a delegation of a National Assembly caucus of the PDP recently met and told the national chairman that they would not appreciate anything short of outright zoning of the presidential ticket to the south.
“They came because, according to them, they are uncomfortable with the silence of the party on the matter.”
Contacted yesterday on the development, a member of the PDP Board of Trustees (BoT) said he and majority of members of the board from the Southwest were unhappy at recent statements credited to the chairman of the BoT, Senator Walid Jibrin, on the zoning of the 2023 presidential ticket of the party.
“We are watching with keen interest,” the source said.
“PDP has always respected the zoning arrangement. We will not accept anything short of ceding the ticket to the south in 2023. That much was said by many individuals and groups at the NEC meeting. It is in everybody’s interest for us to take action quickly.”
Our correspondence gathered that a recent move by some National Assembly members to edge the PDP NASS caucus towards urging the leadership of the party to officially announce the zoning of the 2023 presidential ticket to the south was unsuccessful as the legislators were sharply divided by the motion.
“While majority of the lawmakers from the south supported the idea as a way of forestalling further defections from the party, a sizeable number of their counterparts from the north saw no need for such ‘interference in the business of the NWC by the caucus,’” one source said.
The source said the national chairman, who also understands that besides the threats of defections, the ongoing agitations will also affect his second term ambition, is under immense pressure to find a way of placating the protesting governors and their supporters across the country.
“The challenge Secondus currently faces is the fact that there are two sides to the ongoing agitation. Just as many party chieftains want the NWC to cede its presidential ticket to the south, numerous others will kick against such announcement should the PDP leadership make such announcement,” the source said.
politics
Update : Akwa Ibom Governor, Eno, Likens PDP to a Faulty Aircraft, Set to Declare Defection to APC

A former lawmaker, Otuekong Sunny Jackson Udoh has advised Akwa Ibom State Governor, Pastor Umoh Eno to show wisdom and magnanimity after his triumph at the Supreme Court last Thursday.
Gov Umo Eno
Governor Umo Eno of Akwa Ibom State has sparked speculation over a potential political realignment after openly questioning the viability of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) as a platform for his political aspirations beyond 2027.
Speaking at a constituency outreach meeting on Tuesday in Ikot Akpankuk, Ukanafun Local Government Area, the governor likened the PDP to a faulty aircraft, suggesting he might consider boarding a “different plane” to reach his political destination—an analogy many interpret as a hint at defection to the All Progressives Congress (APC).
“If you wanted to travel with Ibom Airline, and on the verge of taking off, it developed a fault that won’t enable it to fly, won’t you board the next available plane to take you to your destination?” Eno asked, addressing a large crowd at the Town Square meeting for the Ukanafun/Oruk Anam federal constituency.
His remarks come amid growing concerns over internal disunity and instability within the PDP, exacerbated by recent defections, including that of Delta State Governor Sheriff Oborevwori to the APC.
Despite raising concerns about the PDP’s direction, Governor Eno called on his supporters to remain committed to the goals of his administration, emphasizing that service delivery remains his top priority.
As part of the engagement, the governor distributed empowerment packages to more than 400 constituents. The distribution included Traders and Farmers Grants, substantial MSME funding, and equipment support. Specifically, 154 traders received grants, 116 farmers were supported, four individuals received N5 million each for business development, and 131 benefitted from equipment support.
In his remarks, Governor Eno urged beneficiaries to utilize the funds responsibly and cautioned against investing in Ponzi schemes or other non-productive ventures.
“We need to meet with the people from time to time. Governance doesn’t end at elections,” he said. “We’re here to listen, to assess your needs, and to let you know what we’ve done and what we plan to do.”
Eno also revealed that the administration had so far covered four of the state’s 10 federal constituencies in this engagement drive and assured that all would be completed in time to incorporate their needs into the 2026 budget.
“We will review your requests and prioritize based on available resources. What we can’t do now will be considered in future budgets,” he added. “This government belongs to the people—it is for you, with you, and by you.”
Governor Eno has not formally declared any party switch, but his comments have intensified political discussions about the evolving dynamics within Akwa Ibom and the national opposition landscape.
politics
Breaking : Oborevwori , Okowa others dumps PDP, defects to APC

Delta State Governor, Sheriff Oborevwori, the immediate past governor, Ifeanyi Okowa, and all members of the Peoples Democratic Party in Delta State have defected to the All Progressives Congress.
The announcement was made on Wednesday in Asaba, the Delta State capital, by Senator James Manager, shortly after a meeting that lasted over six hours at Government House, Asaba.
Manager stated, “All PDP members in the state, including the governor, former Governor Okowa, the Speaker, the state party chairman, all the local government chairmen and others, have agreed to move to the APC.
“We cannot continue to be in a sinking boat,” he said.
The Delta State Commissioner for Information, Mr Aniagwu Charles, officially confirmed the governor’s defection and the collective decision of Delta PDP leaders and stakeholders to join the APC.
Political observers have described the move as a major realignment that could reshape the political landscape of Delta State ahead of the 2027 general elections.
While Governor Oborevwori has yet to make a public statement on the defection, sources say further details on the rationale behind the move may emerge in the coming days.
Wike’s allies secure PDP control in Bayelsa, Edo
“There is a need for us to adjust our drinking patterns. And in adjusting that drinking pattern, we needed to make a decision that would further help to cement the development in our state, to build the court of law that has existed in our state, to further advance the cause of security and the welfare of our people, and, to a large extent, ensure that development in Delta is not truncated,” Aniagwu stated.
He continued, “In taking that decision, we concluded that leaving the PDP was very necessary for us to be able to collaborate and build a state that every Deltan will be proud of. We believe that what is happening, and the state of the PDP, is akin to that palm wine whose taste has changed — and there was a need for us to change the drinking party.”
Charles added that the decision was unanimously made by party leaders and stakeholders, hinting at a formal public declaration soon.
“By the grace of God, on Monday next week, we will be able to make a very big statement confirming that we are moving into the APC,” he said.
The move marks a significant turning point in Delta State politics, signalling a broader political recalibration that could reshape party dominance in the South-South region.
politics
Update : C’River PDP Deputy Governorship Candidate,Emana Resigns From Party

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Deputy Governorship Candidate in 2023 general election, in Cross River State, Dr Emana Duke Ambroose-Amawhe, has resigned her membership from the party.
In a letter dated
march 28,2025, and addressed to the chairman of Edem Odo Ward, in Akpabuyo local government area of Cross River State, the former Deputy Governorship Candidate,explained that the resignation was with immediate effect.
She said her decision to leave the party was not made lightly, but she remains committed to serving her community and contributing to the progress of Cross River state and nation in other capacities.
In her words, “i am writing to formally resign my membership from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) with immediate effect.
” I sincerely appreciate the opportunity given to me over time to contribute my quota to the growth of the party and the chance to serve as the Deputy Governorship Candidate in the last general elections.
” It was a privilege to be part of the PDP’s vision and engage with our people in meaningful ways. However, after much reflection in light of the current state of affairs within the party, I believe it is time for me to move on.
“This decision was not made lightly, but I remain committed to serving my community and contributing to the progress of our state and nation in other capacities.
Continuing ” I appreciate the relationships and experiences gained during my time with the party and wish the PDP success in its future endeavours.
Amawhe, an embodiment of competence, capability and capacity,
was the Deputy Governorship Candidate to Senator Sandy Onor in Cross River State during the 2023 elections.
She was also an aspirant to the House of Representatives for the Bakassi/Akpabuyo/Calabar South Federal Constituency on the platform of the PDP.
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