A former youth leader of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Sunday Udeh-Okoye, has resigned from the party after failing to secure recognition as its national secretary.His resignation was contained in a letter addressed to the PDP ward chairperson in Agbogugu, Awgu Local Government Area of Enugu State.
The letter, dated 13 October 2025, came shortly after a prolonged legal and political battle over the national secretary seat between him and Samuel Anyanwu.The contest over the position had lasted for more than a year, involving multiple court rulings that created confusion within the party.
Although Udeh-Okoye was at one point declared national secretary by the Court of Appeal in Enugu, the decision was later set aside by the Supreme Court, which upheld Anyanwu’s position as the legitimate officeholder.
Udeh-Okoye stated that his decision to quit was based on what he described as a loss of direction and principles within the PDP. He said the party no longer reflected the values it once stood for and that he could not continue to be part of a system that had deviated from its founding ideals.
The political rivalry between Udeh-Okoye and Anyanwu began in 2023 after Anyanwu contested the Imo State governorship election on the PDP platform but did not officially resign from his post as national secretary.
Following this, PDP leaders in the South-east nominated Udeh-Okoye to replace him, a move that sparked a series of conflicting court rulings across Enugu, Abuja, and the appellate courts.After the Supreme Court’s ruling in March 2025 reinstated Anyanwu, Udeh-Okoye lost his claim to the office.
Efforts by South-east PDP leaders to have him restored were unsuccessful, as the party’s National Working Committee under acting chairman Umar Damagun reaffirmed Anyanwu’s position.
His resignation comes just a day before the expected defection of Enugu State Governor Peter Mbah and other PDP figures to the All Progressives Congress (APC).
Reports suggest that Udeh-Okoye may join the APC alongside them on 14 October 2025.