The National Working Committee (NWC) of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) has announced a South-South Zonal Caretaker Committee, with Emma Ogidi as Chairman, to manage the group’s affairs in the zone beginning from Monday, March 10, 2025.
According to the Ambassador Umar Damagum-led NWC, the South-South Zonal Caretaker Committee would steer the activities of the party in the zone for three months or pending when a new Zonal Executive would be elected.
The move on Friday shelves the recent South-South Zonal Congress that returned as leader the National Vice Chairman (South-South), Chief Dan Orbih, having the backing of party bigwigs like former Rivers State Governor Nyesom Wike and his Cross River State counterpart Donald Duke.
The PDP’s national leadership disowned the South-South Zonal Congress in Calabar, Cross River State.
According to PDP, the establishment of the caretaker committee was in line with the provisions of the party Constitution.
A statement on Friday by Hon. Debo Ologunagba, PDP National Publicity Secretary, said the NWC took this path 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 statement reads: “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 South-South Zonal Caretaker Committee is to oversee the activities of the Party in the Zone for a period of three month or until when 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.”
Members include Hon. Nicholas Ayuwa, Barr. Godwin Akpan Udonta, Mrs. Bekewei Ashanti, Idehen Ebomoyi, and Dame Vivian Ahanmisi.
Orbih, an ally of Wike the FCT Minister, had been suspended on July 11, 2024, over accusations of working against the PDP’s interests in the September 21, 2024, Edo State governorship election, which saw the defeat of the party’s candidate, Dr. Asue Ighodalo.
