South-South Governors Battle Wike’s Camp: Reject PDP Congress In Bold Move

The crisis within the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has intensified as South-South governors push back against the newly elected Zonal Chairman, Dan Orbih, and other executives linked to Federal Capital Territory Minister, Nyesom Wike.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

Reports reveal that four PDP governors—Siminalayi Fubara (Rivers), Douye Diri (Bayelsa), Sheriff Oborevwori (Delta), and Umo Eno (Akwa Ibom)—are calling for a fresh congress or Orbih’s removal, as they aim to install their loyalists in the South-South leadership of the party.

The dispute originated from a zonal congress held last Saturday in Calabar, Cross River State, which saw Orbih elected chairman with 174 votes. Other elected officials included Alabah Turnah (Secretary), Evelyn Weke (Treasurer), Ijeoma Obani (Financial Secretary), Timothy Okwoche (Organizing Secretary), Iyrneri Briggs (Legal Adviser), Prince Etim Isong (Publicity Secretary), Loveday Abaribote (Auditor), Phenomena Esubok (Woman Leader), and Patrick Asuquo (Youth Leader).

Despite a court order from a Rivers State High Court that restrained the PDP from holding the congress, the party went ahead with the event. Wike, who attended, declared that no other congress would take place in the region.

However, the PDP National Working Committee (NWC) later distanced itself from the congress, stating that it was not officially recognized.

South-South Governors Vow to Challenge Wike’s Influence

Senior party sources revealed that the four governors are upset that Wike and his allies ran the congress without consulting them.

“The governors are frustrated that the congress was held in their zone without their involvement. They cannot accept Wike’s dominance in the South-South. They believe it’s their prerogative to decide who leads the PDP in the region,” a party official shared with The PUNCH.

Another insider confirmed that the governors are collaborating with the NWC to challenge the outcome legally and organize another election that aligns with their interests.

“The governors will not sit back. Wike cannot continue acting like a demigod. The crisis has now spread beyond Rivers State to the entire South-South,” the source added.

PDP National Leadership Delays Congress

In a move seemingly in support of the governors’ position, the PDP NWC officially notified INEC that the South-South Zonal Congress had been postponed due to “operational constraints.”