The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has scheduled the official inauguration of its South-South Zonal Caretaker Committee for Thursday, March 13, 2025, at the National Executive Committee (NEC) Hall, Wadata Plaza, Abuja.
In a press statement released on Monday, PDP’s National Publicity Secretary, Debo Ologunagba, confirmed that the committee will oversee party activities in the South-South region until a new Zonal Executive Committee is elected.
Legal Controversy Over Zonal Congress
The inauguration follows months of internal party disputes in the South-South. The Rivers State High Court in Port Harcourt had previously issued a restraining order preventing the PDP and its National Vice Chairman (South-South), Dan Orbih, from conducting a zonal congress.
The lawsuit (PHC/551/CS/2025) was filed by PDP members Tonu Ejiogu and Field Nkor from Rivers State. However, the party proceeded with the congress on February 22, 2025, in Calabar, Cross River State, despite the court ruling.
At the congress, Vita Abba, the electoral committee chairman, declared Dan Orbih as the winner of the National Vice Chairman position with 174 votes. Other officials elected included:
- Alabah Turnah – Secretary
- Evelyn Weke – Treasurer
- Ijeoma Obani – Financial Secretary
- Timothy Okwoche – Organizing Secretary
- Iyrneri Briggs – Legal Adviser
- Prince Etim Isong – Publicity Secretary
- Loveday Abaribote – Auditor
- Phenomena Esubok – Woman Leader
- Patrick Asuquo – Youth Leader
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Wike Declares South-South as PDP’s Strongest Base
Former Rivers State Governor and Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, attended the congress and fully supported its outcome. He declared that no further congress would be held in the South-South and reaffirmed Dan Orbih as the National Vice Chairman.
“The South-South remains PDP’s strongest base. No further congress is needed because the election was properly conducted,” Wike stated at the event.
However, four South-South governors distanced themselves from the congress, rejecting its legitimacy. This division within the party led the PDP National Working Committee (NWC), led by Acting National Chairman Umar Damagum, to reject the congress results and appoint a caretaker committee instead.
Caretaker Committee to Lead Until New Congress
On March 7, 2025, the NWC appointed Chief Emmanuel Ogidi as the Chairman of the Caretaker Committee and fixed April 12, 2025, as the date for a fresh South-South Zonal Congress.
According to Ologunagba, the caretaker committee will be inaugurated at 11 a.m. on March 13, 2025, at the PDP National Secretariat in Abuja.
The caretaker committee members include:
- Chief Emmanuel Ogidi – Chairman
- Hon. Nicholas Ayuwa
- Barr. Godwin Akpan Udonta
- Mrs. Bekewei Ashanti
- Idehen Ebomoyi
- Dame Vivian Ahanmisi
- Chief Damiete Herbert-Miller – Secretary
- Dr. Chris Uduoaka – Administrative Secretary
The PDP NWC urged all party members, leaders, and stakeholders in the South-South to remain united and committed to the party’s progress, assuring them that the caretaker committee will manage the region’s affairs until a new zonal executive committee is elected.
The development marks another chapter in the ongoing power struggle within the PDP, as different factions continue to battle for control ahead of the 2027 general elections.