Former Imo State Governor Achike Udenwa has boldly declared that the forces supporting embattled Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) National Secretary Samuel Anyanwu are not more powerful than the South-East Caucus of the party.

Speaking on Arise Television's Morning Show on Tuesday, Udenwa firmly stated that the South-East Caucus stands with Sunday Ude-Okoye as the rightful National Secretary, challenging the decision of the committee led by former Senate President Bukola Saraki that recognized Anyanwu.

"For over one year, we have been on this issue. The South-East zonal executive committee kept nominating Ude-Okoye as the substantive National Secretary," Udenwa explained. "If we are to continue on that line, it's our prerogative to continue on that line and we have been asked severally to present a candidate and we have done it."

The former governor insisted that Anyanwu's tenure as National Secretary automatically ended when he decided to contest for the Imo State governorship election, creating a vacancy that the South-East Caucus has the constitutional right to fill.

"As far as we are concerned, Anyanwu's tenure ended when he opted to contest for governorship. He gave up his position as National Secretary and it's left for us as the South-East Caucus to represent another candidate," he stated.

Udenwa particularly challenged the influence of former Rivers State Governor Nyesom Wike in the matter, questioning the basis of his authority to override zonal decisions.

"Wike is a member of the party, NEC and a former governor of the party, so that is as far as his own power goes. I don't know what extra power he has but whatever such powers may be can never equate to a zonal caucus of the party," Udenwa remarked.

He emphasized that the PDP has a constitution and established procedures that must be respected: "This party has a constitution and a way of doing things; we can't arrogate to one man the powers to override what a zone can do. I don't know any man within the party with such powers."

The ongoing leadership tussle highlights deepening divisions within Nigeria's main opposition party as it prepares for future electoral contests, with regional blocs asserting their autonomy against perceived interference from powerful party figures.