Dan Orbih has been re-elected as the chairman of the South-South Zone of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in a congress held on Saturday in Calabar, Cross River State. However, the party’s national leadership has dismissed the election, calling it an unofficial gathering.
Orbih won the election with 174 votes, according to the chairman of the electoral committee, Vita Abba. Other officials elected include Alabah Turnah as Secretary, Evelyn Weke as Treasurer, Ijeoma Obani as Financial Secretary, and Timothy Okwoche as Organising Secretary.
Additional elected officers are Iyrneri Briggs (Legal Adviser), Prince Etim Isong (Publicity Secretary), Loveday Abaribote (Auditor), Phenomena Esubok (Women Leader), and Patrick Asuquo (Youth Leader).
In his acceptance speech, Orbih acknowledged the challenges facing the PDP in the region and vowed to end what he described as “impunity and imposition” within the party.
“This is a very critical moment in the history of our party, and we are going to do all we can to end the era of impunity and imposition. We will also start the process of rebuilding and rebranding our party. The expectations are high, but we will not disappoint the party,” he said.
Orbih also insisted that the congress was conducted legally, stating that they were guided by the order of the Federal High Court in Abuja.
“I am not aware of any court injunction stopping us from holding this congress,” he said.
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PDP National Leadership Rejects Congress
Despite the election, the PDP’s National Working Committee (NWC) has denied that an official South-South Zonal Congress took place. In a statement on Saturday, PDP National Publicity Secretary Debo Ologunagba dismissed the election as an unauthorized event.
The statement read, “The attention of the National Working Committee of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has been drawn to a reported social gathering in Calabar, Cross River State, where the organisers falsely claimed same to be the South-South Zonal Congress of the PDP.
“To the contrary, the PDP states in clear terms that it has not conducted its South-South Zonal Congress, neither is it in any way involved in the said gathering in Calabar.”
The conflicting positions have sparked concerns over the leadership structure of the party in the region, leaving PDP members uncertain about the legitimacy of the newly elected officials.
Party Members React
Some PDP members in the South-South have expressed confusion over the party’s stance. A party chieftain, who spoke anonymously, said the division within the party could weaken its influence in the region.
“If we continue like this, we may lose our stronghold in the South-South. We need unity, not division,” he said.
Meanwhile, supporters of Orbih believe he is the right leader to reposition the party.
“He has the experience and knows what to do to bring PDP back to power in this zone,” said a delegate who attended the congress.