Had No Choice!” – Ogidi Reveals Why He Accepted PDP South-South Zonal Chairmanship

Following the PDP National Working Committee (NWC), led by Chairman Iliya Damagum, nullifying the February 22nd Calabar Zonal Congress, a caretaker committee was inaugurated on Thursday. The newly constituted committee includes Ogidi as chairman, Damiete Herbert-Miller as secretary, along with Nicholas Ayuwa, Godwin Akpan Udonta, Mrs. Bekewei Ashanti, Mr. Idehen Ebomoyi, and Dame Vivian Ahanmisi as members.

In an interview with Arise News, Ogidi dismissed the legitimacy of the Calabar Congress, asserting that only the NWC has the constitutional authority to conduct the party’s elections. He refuted claims by George Turner, the South-South Zonal Secretary elected at the Calabar Congress, who argued that the NWC lacked the power to conduct zonal elections.

Ogidi stated, “The constitution empowers the NWC to oversee all elections. If you ask Turner who conducted the ward elections, local government elections, and state elections, the answer remains the same—it is the NWC.”

Addressing concerns about whether the ongoing PDP crisis was being externally influenced, Ogidi attributed the party’s internal conflicts to indiscipline among its members. He lamented that unlike in the early days of the PDP, where internal disputes were resolved within the party, members now frequently resort to court battles, a development he described as “alien” and detrimental to party cohesion.

Ogidi explained that his decision to accept the South-South chairmanship role stemmed from his desire to prevent division within the party.

“The PDP is facing challenges because some members refuse to follow the party’s rules. I have been in this party since its inception, and during my tenure as a state chairman in the early 2000s, we never resorted to taking internal matters to court. Democracy needs to be guided by structure and discipline, but some individuals, due to their affluence or connections, want things done their way, regardless of the cost.”

He concluded, “For me, PDP is like a family, and dealing with family matters is always complex. I don’t want to see anyone leave the party, which is why I accepted this role—to help stabilize and unify our members.”