Enugu Gov, Mbah summons ‘illegal’ South-East Zonal PDP meeting, fuels Defection Plot

Tensions are rising within the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) as reports emerge that Enugu State Governor, Dr. Peter Mbah, has summoned a meeting of the Southeast Zonal Executive Committee (ZEC) in apparent violation of the party’s constitution. The development comes 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, sources reveal that Governor Mbah, who holds no such position, has taken steps to organize the meeting himself, allegedly in collaboration with Chief Ali Odefa, the expelled former National Vice Chairman (Southeast).

Chief Odefa was expelled from the PDP in November 2024, a decision 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.

The planned meeting, reportedly disguised as an inauguration of members of a “Mobilization Committee,” is scheduled to take place at 12 noon today at the Banquet Hall, Old Government Lodge, Enugu. Invitations sent to targeted members were titled, “Appointment as Members of Mobilization Committee of PDP, South East Zone,” but party insiders say the true intent is to pressure party leaders into recognizing Mr. Setonji Koshoedo, the Deputy National Secretary, as Acting National Secretary—an action viewed as a direct affront to a Supreme Court ruling which reaffirmed Senator Anyanwu’s position.

Insiders further allege that 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.

Governor Mbah’s defection plans reportedly intensified after the Enugu State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) rejected his overtures to join the party in April 2025, with the state chairman allegedly citing his poor performance as a reason for the rebuff.

In a statement issued Tuesday by the PDP Reformation Agenda, the group condemned the planned 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, in the statement signed by its Director General, Mazi O. Chukwuebuka, 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.

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.