The National Working Committee (NWC) of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has said that its South South zonal congress has not held, describing the purported meeting held on Saturday, February 22, 2025, in Calabar, Cross River State as a social gathering.
Recall that a High court in Rivers State presided over by Justice G.V. Obomanu had on Friday, February 21, granted an interim injunction restraining the PDP from holding the zonal congress in Calabar or any other place, pending the hearing and determination of the motion on notice for interlocutory injunction.
The court thereafter, adjourned further hearing on the matter to February 28, 2025.
Earlier the PDP National Publicity Secretary, Debo Olorunagba, had in a statement announced the postponement of the proposed zonal meeting in Calabar till further notice
However on Saturdayz February 22,v2025, associates of the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, met in Calabarz and announced the suspended South South Zonal Chairman of PDP, Dan Orby, as the chairman of the party in the zone and George Turner as the secretary
But, in a statement Saturday evening, Olorunagba, affirmed that the South South zonal congress of the party had not held.
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“The attention of the National Working Committee of the PDP has been drawn to a reported social gathering in Calabar, Cross River State, where the organizers 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.
“For the avoidance of doubt, the NWC at its meeting on Thursday, February 20, 2025 in exercise of its powers under Section 29 (2)(b), pursuant to Section 31 (2) (c) and (j) of the constitution of the PDP (as amended in 2017), postponed the conduct of the South South zonal congress from the earlier scheduled date of Saturday, February 22, 2025z so as to allow for further consultation on critical issues relating to the smooth conduct of the congress in the zone.
“For clarity, while Section 29 (2)(b) of the PDP constitution empowers the NWC to in case of emergency, act on behalf of the National Executive Committee subject to the ratification of the National Executive Committee, Section 31(2)(c) expressly provides that the National Executive Committee shall supervise and direct the work of the party and all its organs including the national, zonal, state and local government organs.
“In the same vein, Section 31(2)(j) empowers the National Executive Committee, to make party electoral regulations to govern the conduct of elections to all party offices at every level, and regulate procedures for selecting the party candidates for elective offices.
“For emphasis therefore, the PDP states that it has not conducted its South South zonal congress and it has yet to communicate a date for the exercise,” the statement read on part.
The statement called on all PDP members in the South South zone, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), security agencies and the media, to disregard any gathering or outcome of any such gathering in Calabar, Cross River State purported to be the South South zonal congress of the PDP.
The statement said the party will in due course and through its official channels communicate a new date, for the conduct of the South South zonal congress.
“The NWC commends the PDP South South State governors, other leaders, critical stakeholders and members of the party in the zone for their loyalty, and steadfastness toward the unity, stability and growth of the party in the South South zone, and the nation,” the statement added.
