The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the South-South zone has re-elected Chief Dan Orbih as its zonal chairman during a contentious congress held in Port Harcourt on Saturday. Naija247news reports that the event was attended by prominent party leaders, including the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, despite the National Working Committee (NWC) disowning the exercise.
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!According to Naija247news, Orbih’s re-election was conducted by delegates from the six states in the South-South region, who praised his leadership and efforts to strengthen the party. “Chief Orbih has demonstrated exceptional commitment to the PDP, and we are confident in his ability to lead us to greater victories,” said a delegate from Delta State who spoke to Naija247news.
Naija247news gathered that the congress was marked by tension, as the PDP’s NWC had earlier declared the exercise unauthorized. In a statement issued on Friday, the NWC described the congress as “null and void,” citing a lack of proper consultation and adherence to party guidelines. “The purported congress is not recognized by the party’s leadership. Any outcome from such an exercise is invalid,” the statement read.
Naija247news understands that the NWC’s disownment has sparked a rift within the party, with some members accusing the national leadership of undermining the South-South zone. “This is an attempt to stifle the voices of party members in the region. We will not accept it,” said a PDP chieftain from Rivers State who spoke on condition of anonymity.
According to Naija247news, the presence of Nyesom Wike at the congress added a layer of intrigue to the event. Wike, a former governor of Rivers State and a key figure in the PDP, has been at odds with the NWC over the party’s leadership and direction. His attendance was seen as a show of support for Orbih and a signal of his influence in the South-South zone.
Naija247news reports that the re-elected zonal chairman, Chief Orbih, has called for unity within the party, urging members to focus on the upcoming 2027 general elections. “We must put aside our differences and work together to reclaim power at the national level. The PDP remains the best option for Nigerians,” Orbih stated during his acceptance speech.
As the controversy unfolds, Naija247news gathered that the PDP’s national leadership is considering disciplinary action against those involved in the unauthorized congress. However, stakeholders in the South-South zone have vowed to stand by Orbih and resist any attempts to undermine his leadership.
Re-election of Chief Dan Orbih and the NWC’s disownment of the congress have exposed deep divisions within the party, raising questions about its unity and readiness for future elections.
