In a statement issued on Friday by its National Publicity Secretary, Debo Ologunagba, the PDP explained that the decision by the National Working Committee was based on the need to prevent any leadership vacuum and ensure the continued smooth operation of the Party in the South-South Zone after the current Zonal Executive’s tenure ends on Sunday, March 9, 2025.
Recall that the Rivers State High Court in Port Harcourt had issued a restraining order preventing the PDP and the National Vice Chairman of the South-South, Dan Orbih, from holding the zonal congress. The claimants in the case, marked PHC/551/CS/2025, were PDP members from Rivers State, Tonu Ejiogu and Field Nkor.
Despite the court’s ruling, the party proceeded with Congress on February 22. Vita Abba, the chairman of the electoral committee, announced that Orbih won the election with 174 votes. Other elected officials included Alabah Turnah (Secretary), Evelyn Weke (Treasurer), Ijeoma Obani (Financial Secretary), Timothy Okwoche (Organizing Secretary), Iyrneri Briggs (Legal Adviser), Prince Etim Isong (Publicity Secretary), Loveday Abaribote (Auditor), Phenomena Esubok (Woman Leader), and Patrick Asuquo (Youth Leader).
The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Wike, who supported and attended the congress in Calabar, Cross River State, called the South-South the PDP’s strongest base, insisting that no other congress would be held in the region.
Wike maintained that the Zonal Congress was legally organized and that Orbih remains the National Vice Chairman.
Regarding the four South-South governors who abstained from the congress, the PDP distanced itself from the Calabar congress and stated that it would announce a new date for the zonal congresses in due course.
However, disregarding Wike’s stance, the Umar Damagum-led NWC appointed Emma Ogidi as the Chairman of the Caretaker Committee for the South-South Zonal chapter.
The statement read in part “The National Working Committee of the Peoples Democratic Party has, pursuant to the provisions of the Constitution of the PDP (as amended in 2017) approved the composition of the South South Zonal Caretaker Committee to manage the affairs of the Party in the Zone from Monday, March 10, 2025.
“The decision of the NWC is predicated on the need to avoid any vacuum and ensure the smooth running of the affairs of the Party in the South South Zone at the expiration of the tenure of the current Zonal Executive on Sunday, March 9, 2025”
The PDP also appointed Chief Damiete Herbert-Miller as Secretary, and Nicholas Ayuwa, Godwin Akpan Udonta, Mrs. Bekewei Ashanti, Idehen Ebomoyim, and Dame Vivian Ahanmisi as members.
The statement read in part “The South South Zonal Caretaker Committee is to oversee the activities of the Party in the Zone for a period of three months or until a new Zonal Executive is elected in accordance with the provisions of the Constitution of the PDP
“The NWC enjoins all Party leaders, critical stakeholders and members of the PDP in the South South Zone to be guided by this and continue to work together in the overall interest of the Party in the Zone.”
