Southeast PDP Lawmakers Threaten to Shun National Convention Over Woman Leader Seat-OXYGIST

Lawmakers from the Southeast region under the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) have threatened to boycott the party’s upcoming National Convention in Ibadan, following alleged moves to rezone the position of National Woman Leader from the Southeast to the South-South.


The group, led by Hon. Ikenga Imo Ugochinyere, who represents Ideato North/South Federal Constituency of Imo State, accused Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, of masterminding the plan. They described the move as a deliberate attempt to sideline and humiliate the Southeast within the party’s structure.


According to the lawmakers, the PDP risks deeper internal divisions and possible mass defections if the alleged rezoning is not reversed before the forthcoming screening exercise.


Speaking to journalists in Abuja, Ugochinyere explained that the position of National Woman Leader was originally zoned to the Southeast, with Imo State expected to produce the next occupant. He revealed that Mrs. Ifeyinwa Arodiogbu, the current Southeast Zonal Woman Leader, had the full backing of party stakeholders in the region for the national role.


However, Ugochinyere alleged that Governor Peter Mbah of Enugu State, who has since defected to the All Progressives Congress (APC), influenced the earlier zoning arrangement to favor his state.


“Now that Governor Mbah has crossed over to the APC, the previous arrangement can no longer stand. His preferred candidate also moved with him, which gives Imo State a valid claim to the position,” Ugochinyere stated.


The lawmaker warned that if the injustice is not corrected before the convention, no PDP lawmaker from the Southeast will participate. He also hinted that the group would issue a public disclaimer in two weeks if the region continues to be sidelined.


“We don’t want PDP to suffer more setbacks, but we will stand our ground if, in the coming weeks, the National Woman Leader position is not returned to Imo State. The Southeast must not be humiliated,” he declared.


Ugochinyere further cautioned that any attempt to tamper with the party’s agreed zoning formula would worsen PDP’s already fragile unity.


He appealed to Governors Seyi Makinde and Ademola Adeleke to intervene and ensure that the Southeast retains the National Woman Leader position, warning that alienating the zone could push more members away from the party.


“If this matter is ignored, it will send a dangerous signal that the Southeast no longer matters in PDP. That will provoke widespread discontent and deepen the existing crisis within the party,” he warned.