The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has challenged the Minister of Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, by establishing a caretaker committee in the South-South geopolitical zone.
The PDP explained in a statement issued on Friday by its National Publicity Secretary, Debo Ologunagba, that the decision by the National Working Committee was based on the need to avoid a leadership vacuum and ensure the party’s continued smooth operation in the zone after the zonal executive’s tenure expires on March 9, 2025.
The Rivers State High Court in Port Harcourt ruled that the PDP and Dan Orbih, the National Vice Chairman of the South-South, could not convene the zonal congress.
Tonu Ejiogu and Field Nkor, both PDP members from Rivers State, were the claimants in the PHC/551/CS/2025 case.
However, notwithstanding the court order, the party held the congress in Calabar, Cross River State.
Wike, who endorsed and attended the congress, described the South-South as the PDP’s strongest base, stating that no future congress will be conducted in the region.
Wike insisted that the zonal congress was lawfully held and that Orbih remained the National Vice Chairman.
Vita Abba, chairman of the electoral committee, reported that Orbih had won the race with 174 votes.
Regardless of Wike’s stance, the Umar Damagum-led NWC chose Emma Ogidi as the zone’s caretaker committee chairman.
Chief Damiete Herbert-Miller was also appointed Secretary by the PDP, along with members Nicholas Ayuwa, Godwin Akpan Udonta, Bekewei Ashanti, Idehen Ebomoyim, and Dame Vivian Ahanmisi.
The statement read in part, “The National Working Committee (NWC) of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) 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 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.”
