The crisis within the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has intensified following the rejection of the South-South Zonal Caretaker Committee by the camp of former Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike. The disagreement has further divided the party’s leadership as the National Working Committee (NWC) and Wike’s loyalists clash over control of the region.
The disagreement started when the NWC, led by Acting National Chairman Umar Damagum, announced a caretaker committee for the South-South zone on March 7, with Emma Ogidi appointed as chairman. However, PDP National Vice Chairman for the South-South, Dan Orbih, along with other Wike loyalists, rejected the decision, arguing that it was not approved by the NWC.
Speaking exclusively to The PUNCH, Orbih dismissed the committee as illegitimate, accusing the party’s National Publicity Secretary, Debo Ologunagba, of issuing misleading statements.
Orbih said, “Nobody has communicated that caretaker thing to me. There was no meeting of the NWC where such a conclusion was reached,” Orbih said.
According to him, the decision was made to embarrass the party and should be ignored by South-South leaders. “Those whose names were listed are party members and they come from my zone. They should not allow themselves to be used,” he added.
A Wike loyalist, who spoke anonymously, alleged that some NWC members were attempting to destroy the PDP and shift the blame onto Wike. “The NWC did not meet on this matter. They are determined to destroy the PDP for their selfish gains,” the source said.
Legal Challenges and Parallel Congress
The crisis worsened following a Rivers State High Court order on February 21 that stopped the PDP and Orbih from holding a zonal congress the next day. However, despite the ruling, the congress was held in Calabar, Cross River State, with Orbih emerging victorious with 174 votes.
The election also produced Alabah Turnah as Secretary, Evelyn Weke as Treasurer, Ijeoma Obani as Financial Secretary, Timothy Okwoche as Organising Secretary, and other officers. Wike, who attended the congress, declared that no further election would be held in the region, insisting that the process was legitimate.
However, the PDP leadership, including four South-South governors, distanced themselves from the congress. They argued that Orbih and his supporters conducted the exercise unilaterally.
“Orbih selected his loyalists to serve on the congress committee, supervised the process, and announced himself as the winner. That is unacceptable,” a party source told The PUNCH.
In response, the NWC announced a new date for the South-South zonal congress—April 12—to replace the disputed Calabar congress.
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Conflicting Reactions from Party Leaders
The disagreement has drawn reactions from different factions of the PDP. The Conference of Professionals in the PDP defended the NWC’s decision, stating that it was constitutional. “The appointment of the South-South zonal caretaker committee ensures unity and stability in the party,” the group’s National Coordinator, Obinna Nwachukwu, said.
Meanwhile, PDP National Publicity Secretary, Ologunagba, insisted that the NWC had informed the relevant stakeholders about the new arrangements. “The party has made a decision, and it has been communicated to those concerned,” he said.
However, Orbih and his supporters maintain that the NWC’s decision is illegal. “The South-South leaders should disregard the Ologunagba statement. Their allegiance is to the PDP constitution, not press releases,” Orbih said.
Postponement of NEC Meeting Adds to Tensions
In a related development, the PDP National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting, originally scheduled for March 13, has been postponed to May 15. The postponement follows ongoing litigation concerning the party’s national secretary.
The PDP’s National Secretary, Sunday Ude-Okoye, explained that the delay was necessary to conclude pending congresses and ensure smooth party operations. However, embattled PDP Secretary Samuel Anyanwu rejected the postponement, stating that Ude-Okoye had no authority to issue such a statement.
“My attention has been drawn to a misleading letter signed by Ude-Okoye. The public should disregard it,” Anyanwu said.
The crisis in the PDP, which has been ongoing since the removal of former Chairman Iyorchia Ayu, has continued to deepen. Party leaders remain divided over leadership decisions, raising concerns about the PDP’s ability to unite ahead of future elections.