The Acting National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Umar Damagum, has stated that the party has not yet conducted its South-South Zonal Elective Congress, despite claims that it was held in February.
Damagum made this statement on Thursday at the PDP National Headquarters in Abuja while inaugurating the South-South Zonal Caretaker Committee.
His stance contradicts reports from February 22, when the party supposedly held the congress.
During that event, the chairman of the electoral committee, Vita Abba, declared Dan Orbih the National Vice Chairman for the South-South after he won 174 votes.
Orbih is known to be an ally of the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike.
Wike attended the congress in Calabar and insisted that the election was legitimate and final, reaffirming that the South-South remains the PDP’s strongest base.
He dismissed the possibility of a fresh congress and supported Orbih’s leadership.
However, four South-South governors were absent from the congress, highlighting internal divisions within the party.
Disregarding Wike’s position, the Damagum-led National Working Committee (NWC) appointed Emma Ogidi as Chairman of the Caretaker Committee on March 7 and scheduled a new congress for April 12.
Speaking at the inauguration, Damagum said, “As far as the NWC is concerned, the South-South Zonal Congress has not been held. Since their tenure has ended, we are setting up a Caretaker Committee today.”
Several prominent PDP members attended the event, including Bayelsa State Governor Douye Diri, PDP Board of Trustees Chairman Adolphus Wabara, former PDP National Chairman Uche Secondus, and National Secretary Sunday Ude-Okoye.
