…accuse Oyo Governor of plotting to marginalise region

By Sodiq Adelakun

Fresh tension has erupted within the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) as federal lawmakers from the Southeast have threatened to boycott the party’s forthcoming national convention in Ibadan, alleging a plot to rezone the National Woman Leader position from the Southeast to the South South.

The lawmakers, led by Hon. Ikenga Imo Ugochinyere, member representing Ideato North/South Federal Constituency of Imo State, accused Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, of masterminding the controversial move, describing it as an attempt to “humiliate and alienate the Southeast” within the party.

They warned that if the plan is not reversed before next week’s screening exercise, the PDP risks massive defections and deeper internal disunity ahead of the 2027 elections.

According to Ugochinyere, the position of National Woman Leader was originally zoned to the Southeast, with Imo State expected to produce the next occupant. 

He alleged that Governor Peter Mbah of Enugu State, who has since defected to the All Progressives Congress (APC), had influenced the earlier arrangement in favour of his state before his exit from the PDP.

He argued that Mbah’s defection has rendered the arrangement void, insisting that Imo State now has a legitimate claim to the post.

In his words: “Now that Governor Mbah has left for APC, that earlier arrangement of producing a Woman Leader is not going to stand because his nominee has also joined him in the APC. This brings back a chance for the injustice to be addressed and for Imo State to produce the National Woman Leader.”

The lawmakers warned that any attempt to tamper with the existing zoning formula could trigger a total pullout of Southeast representatives from the PDP.

He said: “No elected lawmaker from the Southeast will remain in the PDP if this injustice is allowed to stand.

“We will issue a disclaimer against the convention if the position of National Woman Leader is not ceded to Imo State.”

They urged Governors Seyi Makinde and Ademola Adeleke of Osun State to intervene and ensure that the South-east retains the position, warning that further marginalisation could deepen the crisis already rocking the opposition party.