National Working Committee (NWC) of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has postponed the South-South Zonal Congress, originally scheduled for Saturday, February 22, 2025, citing the need for further consultations to ensure a smooth and credible electoral process.
In a statement issued by PDP’s National Publicity Secretary, Debo Ologunagba, the NWC confirmed that while the South-South congress had been put on hold, the South-East and North-East zonal congresses would proceed as scheduled in Enugu and Bauchi, respectively.
“The postponement of the South-South Congress is necessitated by the need for further consultation on critical issues relating to the smooth conduct of the Congress in the Zone,” the statement read, adding that a new date would be announced in due course.
The decision comes amid a deepening leadership crisis within the PDP’s South-South chapter, where a faction led by Chief Dan Orbih, the party’s National Vice Chairman for the zone, had unilaterally convened the congress in defiance of party directives.
Orbih is perceived to be loyal to the group controlled by former Rivers State Governor and now Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike.
The South-South Zonal Executive Committee, under Orbih’s leadership, had issued a separate public notice on Friday inviting party members to the congress at the Metropolitan Hotel in Calabar, Cross River State. The notice, signed by Acting Zonal Secretary George Turner, stated that the congress was being convened to elect new zonal officers, citing Article 28(3) of the PDP constitution as legal backing.
This defiant move has further inflamed tensions within the zone, which has been embroiled in a leadership dispute over the legitimacy of Orbih’s authority and the procedural correctness of his actions.
The crisis within the South-South PDP has been building over the past months, with key party leaders and factions clashing over control of the zone.
The conflict escalated following a February 15, 2025, meeting convened by Orbih in Edo State, which was condemned as illegal by Chief Felix Omemu, the Zonal Secretary.
Omemu argued that the meeting violated the PDP constitution, as it was called without proper consultation or approval from the Zonal Working Committee.
Omemu urged party members and leaders to boycott the meeting, warning that it could further divide the party.
He stressed that no prior agreement had been reached to hold such a gathering, questioning its legitimacy and potential impact on the PDP’s unity.
Adding to the turmoil, the Cross River State chapter of the PDP publicly distanced itself from any zonal congress held outside the party’s recognized headquarters in Port Harcourt.
The chapter insisted that all official activities must adhere to constitutional provisions and party structures, further challenging Orbih’s actions.
The South-South PDP crisis mirrors broader internal conflicts within the party, including disputes over leadership roles, allegations of unconstitutional practices, and disciplinary actions taken against key members.
The tensions are seen as part of a wider struggle for control ahead of the 2027 elections.
With the postponement of the South-South Congress, the PDP leadership is attempting to prevent a full-blown factional showdown that could weaken the party’s hold in the region. The NWC’s directive is aimed at de-escalating tensions and ensuring that due process is followed when electing new zonal leaders.
The party has urged all stakeholders, including the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and security agencies, to take note of the postponement and abide by the official directive.
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