PDP Crisis: S/South Exco Rebukes NWC’s Spokesman

The South-South zonal executive of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP has lambasted the National Publicity Secretary of the party, Mr Debo Ologunagba over his assertions against the weekend zonal congress of the party that re-elected Chief Dan Orbih as zonal chairman.

A statement issued by Prince Etim Isong, South-South PDP Publicity Secretary affirmed that it was not in the position of Ologunagba or even the National Working Committee, NWC to dictate to the zonal chapter the party how to summon a congress.

He said:

Contrary to the recent embarrassing and baseless claims peddled by the ineffective  National Publicity Secretary, Mr. Debo Ologunagba, asserting that the South-South Zonal Congress has not been conducted, the South-South Zone of the party, under the capable leadership of Chief Dan Orbih, hereby and confidently declares that the congress was held with resounding success. Conducted in Calabar in an atmosphere of commendable order, the Congress proceedings and outcome aligned perfectly with the statutes of our great party.

The Congress saw the full participation of major party drivers in the zone, including the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, former Cross River State Governor Donald Duke, Zonal Chairman Chief Dan Orbih, members of the National Assembly, BOT members, Speakers and members of state Assemblies, other critical  stakeholders of the Party. .

At the South-South Zonal Chapter of the PDP, we find it utterly disgusting  to hear that Mr Debo hiding under the cover of the National Working Committee (NWC) is ever busy misinforming Party members to claim that a meticulously planned and well conducted zonal congress did not take place. We wish to inform all and sundry that the congress is done and dusted—no interim or parallel exercise can hold again.

The PDP Constitution, in Sections 27(2)(c) and 27(2)(d), unambiguously empowers the Zonal Executive Committees to summon and organize Zonal Congresses, including setting their agendas, without any mandate or interference from the NWC. Meanwhile, Section 29(2) defines the NWC’s role as one of national coordination, with no authority whatsoever to meddle in the conduct of zonal congresses. This constitutional clarity affirms that the South-South Zone acted within its rightful powers in accordance with the Party Congress timetable with INEC. Furthermore, this position is cemented by subsisting judicial pronouncements. In the suit marked FHC/L/CS/636/2016, presided over by Hon. Justice I. N. Buba, and another, FHC/ABJ/CS/208/2020, by Hon. Justice Ahmed Mohammed, the Federal High Courts ruled decisively that the NWC lacks the power to override executive committees at any level in conducting congresses. These judgments upheld that the Ogun State Executive Committee—and by extension, all executive committees—are legally empowered to hold congresses independent of the National Secretariat. These rulings stand firm, and Mr. Ologunagba should Please take note and cease embarrassing our party with baseless statements.

How does any right-thinking individual reconcile the National Publicity Secretary’s claim that the NWC, prompted by the NEC, deemed it proper to alter the timetable of our congress without consulting the South-South Zonal Committee—the prime actor in this event? This is the very culture of impunity that has repeatedly brought PDP to its knees, a scourge we in the South-South Zone are determined to eradicate it . I believe  Mr. Ologunagba is aware that it’s not possible to shave a man’s head in his absence. Your statement amounts to making unilateral decisions about our zone without reference to us at the Zone. The NWC is not a den of magicians!

What kind  of reconciliation can one attach to a decision to shift the schedule of a critical event like a zonal congress simply because it clashes with programs of some of our Governors.

It is most unfortunate that alleged inducement have swayed the National Publicity Office into failing to provide accurate information for public consumption. We dare say that no glory can be achieved in inter-party contests if our internal organization remains riddled with irregularities.

By the special grace of Almighty God, the South-South Zone of the Peoples Democratic Party has re-elected Chief Dan Orbih as its chairman. Other officials elected include Alabah Turnah (Secretary), Evelyn Weke (Treasurer), Ijeoma Obani (Financial Secretary), Timothy Okwoche (Organising Secretary), Iyrneri Briggs (Legal Adviser), Prince Etim Isong (Publicity Secretary), Loveday Abaribote (Auditor), Phenomena Esubok (Woman Leader), and Patrick Asuquo (Youth Leader).

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