A group within the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, PDP Reformation Agenda, has described the Zonal Executive Committee, ZEC, meeting which was held in Enugu State on Wednesday as illegal.
In a statement made available to journalists on Wednesday, the group alleged that the meeting was convened by Governor Peter Mbah in apparent violation of the party’s constitution.
It said it was even more worrisome amid growing speculation that the governor is planning to defect from the PDP “after a failed attempt to unseat Senator Samuel Nnaemeka Anyanwu as the party’s National Secretary.”;;
According to Article 27(3) of the PDP Constitution, only the National Vice Chairman of a zone is authorized to convene a Zonal Executive Committee meeting.
However, the group was of the opinion that Chief Odefa was expelled from the PDP in November 2024, a decision it said was subsequently upheld by the Federal High Court in Abakaliki.
“Following his expulsion, both the National Legal Adviser and the Southeast Zonal Legal Adviser of the PDP issued a formal opinion confirming that Odefa is no longer a member of the party,”;; it stated.
In the statement signed by its Director General, Mazi O. Chukwuebuka, the group condemned the ZEC meeting and cautioned party leaders and members against participating in what it described as an unconstitutional gathering.
“We urge Governor Mbah to prioritize the party’s interests and his political future by acting in accordance with its principles, and desist from this path of infamy,”;; the statement read.
The group also expressed full confidence in the ongoing reform process being overseen by Acting National Chairman Ambassador Umar Damagum, National Secretary Senator Samuel Anyanwu, and Dr. Saraki, who chairs the Reformation Committee.
It said the committee is expected to steer the party toward a smooth National Executive Committee meeting on May 27 and a National Convention in August 2025.
On the Enugu ZEC meeting, the group claimed that it was disguised as an inauguration of members of a “Mobilization Committee,”;; scheduled to take place at 12 noon today at the Banquet Hall, Old Government Lodge, Enugu.
“The ultimate goal of this maneuver is to coerce the PDP National Executive Committee (NEC) and the recently constituted reform committee led by former Senate President, Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki, into reversing the Supreme Court-backed recognition of Senator Anyanwu.
“However, sources close to Dr. Saraki suggest he is unlikely to endorse such a move, leading to heightened concerns over Governor Mbah’s political trajectory,”;; the group alleged.
