Former National Secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Rt. Hon. S.K.E. Udeh-Okoye, has officially resigned from the opposition party, citing the loss of its moral compass, ideological direction, and founding principles of unity, justice, and equity.
In a resignation letter dated October 13, 2025, and addressed to the PDP Ward Chairman in Agbogugu, Awgu Local Government Area of Enugu State, Udeh-Okoye said the decision followed “deep reflection and careful consideration,” lamenting that the PDP had “strayed far from the ideals of its founding fathers.”
“After much contemplation, I have come to the solemn conclusion that I can no longer, in good conscience, remain within a system that has strayed so far from its original purpose,” Udeh-Okoye stated.
The former PDP scribe, who once served as National Youth Leader of the party and Member of the Enugu State House of Assembly, described the PDP as a party that “once symbolized hope for democratic governance” but has now “lost its ideological direction.”
“The PDP that once stood as a beacon of hope for democratic governance has regrettably lost its moral compass and ideological direction,” he said.
While expressing gratitude for the opportunities the PDP gave him over the years, Udeh-Okoye said he was embarking on “a progressive journey dedicated to restoring the values of democracy, accountability, and service to the people, which the party has sadly abandoned.”
His resignation comes amid deepening divisions within the PDP following months of internal wrangling over leadership legitimacy, particularly the controversial reinstatement of Senator Samuel Anyanwu as National Secretary and the fallout from the party’s 100th National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting.
In January, the PDP leadership had recognised Udeh-Okoye as the substantive National Secretary of the party in compliance with a Court of Appeal judgment, a move that further heightened tensions within the opposition camp.
However, Senator Anyanwu, who has continued to insist that he remains the authentic National Secretary, said he has applied for a stay of execution of the judgment and has also appealed the ruling to the Supreme Court.
He accused the PDP’s National Publicity Secretary, Debo Ologunagba, of playing politics with the situation, insisting that the party had not yet officially received the Court of Appeal judgment since it was on break at the time.
In March 2025, the Supreme Court overturned a previous Court of Appeal ruling that had affirmed Anyanwu’s removal.
The apex court declared that leadership disputes within political parties are internal matters and not subject to judicial intervention.
This ruling did not definitively settle the leadership question, as both Anyanwu and Okoye claimed victory afterward.
PDP governors met in April 2025 and recommended that the Deputy National Secretary temporarily fill the role until a permanent appointment is made from the South East Zone.
Despite the unresolved legal and political wrangling, Samuel Anyanwu resumed office at the PDP Secretariat in Abuja in October 2025.
The PDP’s National Publicity Secretary, Debo Ologunagba, downplayed the crisis, stating that Anyanwu’s current duties are limited to minor administrative tasks like diesel supply and parking space allocation.
