The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) is facing fresh internal turmoil as its leadership moves against a congress backed by Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike. Instead, the party’s National Working Committee (NWC) has appointed a caretaker committee for the South-South zone, escalating the power struggle within the party.
Court Blocks Congress, PDP Proceeds Anyway
A Rivers State High Court had earlier issued an order stopping the PDP and its South-South National Vice Chairman, Dan Orbih, from conducting a zonal congress. However, in defiance of the ruling, the congress went ahead in Calabar, Cross River State.
Wike, a key player in the PDP’s internal politics, attended the event and strongly supported it. He declared the South-South as the party’s strongest base and insisted no other congress would be recognized.
Wike’s Candidate Emerges Victorious
At the congress, the chairman of the electoral committee, Vita Abba, announced that Dan Orbih had won with 174 votes. Wike defended the election, calling it legitimate and binding.
PDP Leadership Strikes Back
Unmoved by Wike’s stance, the PDP’s NWC, led by acting National Chairman Umar Damagum, dismissed the congress and appointed a caretaker committee instead.
The new leadership includes:
Chairman: Emma Ogidi
Secretary: Chief Damiete Herbert-Miller
Members: Nicholas Ayuwa, Godwin Akpan Udonta, Bekewei Ashanti, Idehen Ebomoyim, and Dame Vivian Ahanmisi
PDP Justifies Its Decision
In a statement, the party explained that the move was necessary to prevent a leadership vacuum, as the tenure of the current zonal executive expires on March 9, 2025.
“The decision of the NWC is to ensure the smooth running of the party’s affairs in the South-South zone,” the statement read.
What Happens Next?
The caretaker committee has been given a three-month mandate until a new zonal executive is elected.
With Wike standing firm behind Orbih and the PDP leadership pushing its own structure, the South-South remains a major battleground in the party’s ongoing power struggle.
