The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has taken a decisive step by appointing a caretaker committee for the South-South geopolitical zone, thereby challenging the authority of the Minister of Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike.
In a statement released on Friday by its National Publicity Secretary, Debo Ologunagba, the PDP clarified that this action by the National Working Committee was motivated by the necessity to avert any leadership void and to ensure the uninterrupted functioning of the party in the region following the conclusion of the zonal executive’s term on March 9, 2025.
A ruling from the Rivers State High Court in Port Harcourt had previously prohibited the PDP and the National Vice Chairman of the South-South, Dan Orbih, from conducting the zonal congress.
The plaintiffs in the case, identified as PDP members from Rivers State, Tonu Ejiogu and Field Nkor, filed under case number PHC/551/CS/2025.
Notwithstanding the court’s decision, the party proceeded with the congress in Calabar, Cross River State.
Wike, who endorsed and participated in the congress, asserted that the South-South region represents the PDP’s most robust support base, emphasizing that no further congress would take place in the area.
He affirmed that the zonal congress was conducted in accordance with legal standards and that Orbih continues to serve as the National Vice Chairman.
The chairman of the electoral committee, Vita Abba, announced that Orbih secured victory in the election with a total of 174 votes.
In defiance of Wike’s position, the National Working Committee, led by Umar Damagum, appointed Emma Ogidi as the Chairman of the caretaker committee for the zone.
Additionally, the PDP designated Chief Damiete Herbert-Miller as Secretary, along with Nicholas Ayuwa, Godwin Akpan Udonta, Bekewei Ashanti, Idehen Ebomoyim, and Dame Vivian Ahanmisi as committee members.
The statement included the following: “The National Working Committee (NWC) of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has, in accordance with the provisions of the PDP Constitution (as amended in 2017), approved the formation of the South-South Zonal Caretaker Committee to oversee the party’s operations in the region starting from Monday, March 10, 2025.”