A fresh crisis has erupted within the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Enugu State after stakeholders from Enugu West Senatorial Zone rejected the emergence of Hon. Dennis Amadi as the party’s senatorial candidate, declared the suspension of senatorial aspirant Dr. Nick Ozonsi unconstitutional, and demanded the immediate return of the party’s state chairmanship to the zone.
The resolutions were contained in a communiqué issued at the end of a stakeholders’ meeting held on Sunday, July 5, 2026, at 9th Mile, Enugu, where party leaders, elders, former and serving political office holders, women and youth leaders, executive committee members, and stakeholders from the five local government areas of Enugu West reviewed developments within the party and deliberated on issues bordering on internal democracy, equity, inclusiveness, and electoral preparedness.
The stakeholders said the meeting reflected the collective resolve of party members to strengthen the PDP, uphold its constitution, and preserve its democratic ideals ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Enugu West Demands Return of PDP Chairmanship
The stakeholders reaffirmed that, in line with the PDP’s long-established zoning and rotational arrangement in Enugu State, the office of the State Chairman rightly belongs to Enugu West Senatorial Zone.
They argued that the continued retention of the position by Enugu North Senatorial Zone violates the party’s established principle of equity and balanced representation.
According to the communiqué, “The meeting reaffirmed that, in accordance with the long-established zoning and rotational arrangement of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Enugu State, the office of the State Chairman is due to Enugu West Senatorial Zone.”
The stakeholders expressed concern that the continued occupation of the office by another zone “represents a clear departure from the party’s established zoning and rotational principle and is capable of undermining confidence in the party’s longstanding commitment to justice, equity and balanced representation.”
They therefore called on the PDP National Working Committee (NWC) and other relevant organs of the party to “without further delay, restore the office of the State Chairman to Enugu West Senatorial Zone in faithful compliance with the party’s established zoning arrangement and in the overriding interest of unity, fairness and the continued stability of the party in Enugu State.”
Stakeholders Reject Amadi’s Senatorial Nomination
The meeting also rejected the emergence of Hon. Dennis Amadi as the PDP senatorial candidate for Enugu West, insisting that no valid primary election was conducted to produce him.
According to the communiqué, “The meeting thoroughly reviewed the circumstances surrounding the emergence of Hon. Dennis Amadi as the PDP Senatorial Candidate for Enugu West Senatorial Zone and asserts that no PDP Senatorial Primary Election was conducted in Enugu West Senatorial Zone from which any candidate could legitimately emerge.”
The stakeholders further maintained that Amadi “did not emerge through any PDP Senatorial Primary Election conducted, recognised or participated in by the established party structure in Enugu West Senatorial Zone.”
Consequently, they rejected what they described as his purported nomination and urged the party’s national leadership to nullify it.
“The meeting called on the National Working Committee to immediately review the entire senatorial nomination process for Enugu West Senatorial Zone and nullify the purported listing of Hon. Dennis Amadi as the PDP Senatorial Candidate for Enugu West Senatorial Zone, having found that the purported nomination was not founded on any primary election conducted in Enugu West Senatorial Zone in accordance with the Constitution of the Peoples Democratic Party and its Electoral Guidelines,” the communiqué stated.
Ozonsi’s Suspension Declared Illegal
The stakeholders also threw their weight behind Dr. Nick Ozonsi, condemning his suspension and describing it as unconstitutional and politically motivated.
They alleged that the suspension was deliberately carried out shortly before the senatorial nomination process to frustrate the collective will of party members in Enugu West.
“The meeting also strongly condemned the suspension of Dr. Nick Ozonsi, a founding member and respected stakeholder of the party, which occurred shortly before the scheduled senatorial nomination process,” the communiqué stated.
The stakeholders maintained that the suspension was “a calculated attempt to frustrate the collective will of PDP members in Enugu West Senatorial Zone” and insisted it was carried out “without compliance with the due process prescribed by the PDP Constitution and without the knowledge or approval of the Ward, Local Government and Enugu West Zonal leadership of the party.”
Primaries Faulted, Three Candidates Endorsed
While expressing dissatisfaction with the conduct of several primary elections across Enugu West, the stakeholders endorsed the emergence of Hon. Arinze Onyianta as the PDP candidate for Udi/Ezeagu Federal Constituency, Hon. Ebube Nebo for Ezeagu State Constituency, and Dr. Chidi Orjiudeche for Awgu South State Constituency.
They described their emergence as products of transparent, credible, and democratic processes and reaffirmed their support for the trio.
Stakeholders Seek Protection for Onyianta’s Mandate
The stakeholders urged the PDP National Working Committee to protect the mandate of Hon. Arinze Onyianta, insisting that he emerged through a primary election monitored by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
They also raised concerns over the activities of Mr. Charles Ndukwe, alleging that despite contesting the primary election of another political party, he was now parading himself as the PDP candidate for Udi/Ezeagu Federal Constituency.
According to them, Ndukwe is not a registered member of the PDP and should not be recognised as the party’s candidate.
Governorship Candidate Urged to Be Inclusive
The communiqué also expressed concern over what it described as the exclusion of key stakeholders and longstanding party members in Enugu West from the political and campaign activities of the PDP governorship candidate, Barr. Uche Nnaji.
The stakeholders argued that such exclusion runs contrary to the party’s tradition of consultation and inclusiveness.
They urged Nnaji to embrace all genuine stakeholders in the zone, foster reconciliation where necessary, and build a united front capable of delivering electoral victory for the PDP.
Enugu West Seeks PDP Board of Trustees Slot
The stakeholders lamented that Enugu West remains the only senatorial zone in Enugu State without representation on the PDP Board of Trustees despite what they described as the zone’s immense contributions to the growth and stability of the party.
They appealed to the party’s national leadership to immediately appoint a qualified member from the zone to correct what they called a longstanding imbalance.
Vote of Confidence
The meeting unanimously passed a vote of confidence on the Enugu West PDP Zonal Chairman, Rt. Hon. Charles Martins Emenike, commending his leadership, courage, and commitment to internal democracy and the constitutional principles of the party.
The stakeholders also reaffirmed Ozo Dr. Okey Ozoani as the recognised Political Leader of Enugu West Senatorial Zone, pledging continued loyalty and support to his leadership in promoting unity, reconciliation, and justice within the party.
They further reaffirmed their loyalty to the PDP and expressed confidence that the National Working Committee would urgently address the issues raised in the communiqué to restore confidence in the party’s internal processes, strengthen internal democracy, and reposition the PDP for electoral success.
The communiqué was jointly signed by Rt. Hon. Charles Martins Emenike, Zonal Chairman; Mbah Ugochukwu, Zonal Secretary; Ozo Dr. Okey Ozoani, State Auditor and Political Leader of Enugu West Senatorial Zone; and Hon. Dr. Nnamdi Onyia, State Treasurer.
