The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) is currently embroiled in fresh controversy as the party’s National Secretary, Senator Sam Anyanwu, has officially endorsed the results of the South-South Zonal Congress held in Calabar. This move has sparked internal party tensions, especially as the congress results were previously rejected by key stakeholders of the National Working Committee, NWC.
The congress, which was held to elect new Zonal Working Committee members, faced opposition from some factions within the party, who alleged non-compliance with laid-down guidelines of NWC, thereby insisting the Congress is yet to hold. Despite these concerns, Senator Anyanwu’s endorsement signals the party leadership’s acceptance of the new zonal officers.
The elected officers include:
Chief Dan Osi Orbih – Chairman
George Irinah, MON – Secretary
Mrs. Evelyn Weke – Treasurer
Ijeoma Esther Obani – Financial Secretary
Dorothy Okwoche – Organizing Secretary
Briggs Iyemeni Esq. – Legal Adviser
Prince Etim Isong – Publicity Secretary
Loveday Abaribote – Auditor
Philomina J. Esubok – Woman Leader
Patrick Eyo Asu – Youth Leader
Furthermore, six Zonal Ex-officio members and six National Ex-officio members were also elected to represent each state within the zone.
Read also: PDP rejects officers from discredited South South zonal congress
Several PDP chieftains, particularly from states such as Rivers, Delta, and Edo, have expressed dissatisfaction over the endorsement, citing procedural breaches and that most key party figures including south South governors attended the Congress due to the order from NWC to put on hold the zonal congress.
With the National Secretary’s stamp of approval, the newly elected South-South PDP leadership is now expected to assume office, setting the stage for potential internal conflicts. The controversy threatens to deepen existing cracks within the party, particularly in the lead-up to crucial elections.
Political analysts believe that if the crisis is not swiftly resolved, it could weaken the PDP’s hold in the South-South region, which has historically been one of its strongholds.
Stakeholders within the PDP have called for urgent legal efforts to prevent the crisis from escalating. Some have suggested that the party’s National Working Committee (NWC) should intervene to address this legally.
As tensions rise, the coming weeks will be crucial in determining whether the party can fallout from zonal elections.