The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has announced the formation of a caretaker committee to manage its affairs in the South-South zone, challenging the leadership of the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike.
In a statement issued on Friday, March 7, PDP National Publicity Secretary, Debo Ologunagba, explained that the decision was made by the National Working Committee (NWC) to prevent a leadership vacuum in the zone, which would occur after the expiration of the current zonal executive’s tenure on March 9, 2025.
The move follows a legal setback in the Rivers State High Court, which had restrained the PDP and the South-South National Vice Chairman, Dan Orbih, from holding a zonal congress.
The case, filed by Rivers State PDP members, Tonu Ejiogu and Field Nkor, sought to prevent the congress from taking place.
Despite the court’s ruling, the PDP went ahead with the congress in Calabar, Cross River State, with Wike in attendance. He supported the congress and asserted that the South-South remained the PDP’s strongest base.
Wike further stated that no other congress would be held in the region, maintaining that the congress was legally organised and reaffirming Orbih’s position as National Vice Chairman.
However, the NWC, led by Acting Chairman Umar Damagum, appointed Emma Ogidi as the Chairman of the South-South Zonal Caretaker Committee, overriding Wike’s position.
The new committee will oversee the party’s activities in the zone for a period of three months, or until a new zonal executive is elected, in accordance with the party’s constitution.
Along with Ogidi, the PDP appointed Chief Damiete Herbert-Miller as Secretary and several other members, including Nicholas Ayuwa, Godwin Akpan Udonta, Bekewei Ashanti, Idehen Ebomoyim, and Dame Vivian Ahanmisi.
In the statement, the PDP said: “The NWC’s decision is aimed at avoiding any vacuum and ensuring the smooth running of the party’s affairs in the South-South Zone after the expiration of the current Zonal Executive’s tenure.”
The developments have further heightened tensions within the PDP, especially in the South-South region, as both Wike and the NWC appear to be on a collision course over control of the party’s leadership in the zone.
READ ALSO: 2027 Elections: Hon. Gana speaks out on who will lead the PDP party
