“As Far As the NWC Is Concerned, the South-South Zonal Congress Has Not Been Held” – Damagum

The Acting National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Umar Damagum, has insisted that the party has not yet conducted its South-South Zonal Elective Congress, despite earlier reports suggesting otherwise.

Damagum made the statement on Thursday during the inauguration of the South-South Zonal Caretaker Committee at the PDP National Headquarters, Wadata Plaza in Abuja. His remarks come in contradiction to the events of February 22, when the party was reported to have held the congress in Calabar. At that gathering, Dan Orbih, a close ally of the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, was declared National Vice Chairman for the South-South after polling 174 votes. The chairman of the electoral committee, Vita Abba, had presided over the exercise.

Wike, who was present at the Calabar congress, maintained that the event was legitimate and final, describing the South-South as the PDP’s political stronghold. He dismissed any suggestions of a new congress and reiterated support for Orbih’s leadership in the region.

However, the absence of four South-South governors from the event has been widely interpreted as a sign of deepening internal divisions within the party. In a move that further underscores the rift, the Damagum-led National Working Committee (NWC) disregarded the Calabar proceedings and, on March 7, appointed Emma Ogidi as chairman of a new Caretaker Committee, scheduling a fresh zonal congress for April 12.

Speaking at Thursday’s inauguration, Damagum said, “As far as the NWC is concerned, the South-South Zonal Congress has not been held. Since their tenure has ended, we are setting up a Caretaker Committee today.”

The event drew notable PDP figures, including Bayelsa State Governor Douye Diri, Chairman of the PDP Board of Trustees Adolphus Wabara, former National Chairman Uche Secondus, and National Secretary Sunday Ude-Okoye.