The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory and former Rivers State’s Governor Nyesom Wike, and former Cross Rivers State’s Governor Donald Duke are leading a section of South-South chieftains of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in a disagreement over Saturday’s zonal congress that held at the weekend but which the National Working Committee (NWC) of has declared illegal.
Debo Ologunagba, PDP National Publicity Secretary, issued a statement at the weekend, disowning the congress.
However, members of the PDP, who are loyal to Wike and Duke, conducted the South-South PDP Zonal Congress on Saturday in Calabar, Cross River State, despite an order against the exercise issued by a High Court, sitting in Port Harcourt, the Rivers State capital.
The congress re-elected Dan Orbih, an ally of Nyesom Wike, as its Chairman.
In announcing results of the Zonal Congress poll, Chairman of the Electoral Committee, Vita Abba said Chief Dan Orbih polled a total of 174 votes to emerge the winner.
Other elected officials include Alabah Turnah, (Secretary), Evelyn Weke (Treasurer), Ijeoma Obani (Financial Secretary) and Timothy Okwoche (Organising Secretary).
Also making the Executive list are Iyrneri Briggs (Legal Adviser), Prince Etim Isong (Publicity Secretary), Loveday Abaribote (Auditor), Phenomena Esubok (Woman leader), and Patrick Asuquo (Youth Leader).
Distancing itself from the exercise, the party’s NWC said PDP was not in any way involved in the “said gathering in Calabar” and insisted it had not conducted any South-South Zonal Congress.
However, while presenting a goodwill message at the congress, the former Rivers State Governor said there had never been a congress or convention where all delegates participated.
Speaking at the occasion, Wike said, “The South-South Zone is the strongest zone of the PDP in Nigeria. It has always been and will always be. There is no part of the constitution that says congress should be postponed because of a wedding or travelling.
“There has never been a congress where every delegate was present. I want to assure you that this is the final zonal congress of the South-South Zone. After the election today, no other zonal congress will hold.
“This is our job, our terrain, and we are not new to this. Nobody can intimidate me and I don’t need to be a governor. Let us put ourselves together in truth and ensure our party remains united and we can only be united when we are truthful.”
PDP insisted it has not conducted its South-South Zonal Congress.
It said: “The attention of the National Working Committee (NWC) of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has been drawn to a reported social gathering in Calabar, Cross River State, where the organizers falsely claimed same to be the South-South Zonal Congress of the PDP.
“To the contrary, the PDP states in clear terms that it has not conducted its South-South Zonal Congress neither is it in any way involved in the said gathering in Calabar.
“For emphasis therefore, the PDP states that it has not conducted its South-South Zonal Congress and it has yet to communicate a date for the exercise.
“The PDP calls on all party members in the South-South Zone, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Security Agencies and the Media to disregard any gathering or outcome of any such gathering in Calabar, Cross River State purported to be the South-South Zonal Congress of the PDP.
“Our Party will in due course and through its official channels communicate a new date for the conduct of the South-South Zonal Congress.
“The NWC commends the PDP South-South State Governors, other leaders, critical stakeholders and members of the Party in the Zone for their loyalty and steadfastness toward the unity, stability and growth of the Party in the South-South Zone and the nation.”
