PDP rejects Wike’s South South Zonal Congress, fixes new date
Factions in Lagos reunite, vow to oust APC in 2027
The National Working Committee (NWC) of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has rejected the South South zonal congress organised, weeks ago, by the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister, Nyesom Wike, and his camp and fixed Saturday, April 12 for a fresh congress.
In the same vein, the NWC also approved the shifting of the South West and North Central zonal congresses from March 22 to April 12, 2025. In Lagos State, the factions seem to have put aside their differences and reunited, while vowing to wrest power from the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the next general election.
The zonal congresses will be held simultaneously in Port Harcourt, Rivers State (South South); Ibadan, Oyo State (South West) and Jos, Plateau State (North Central) to elect the executives officers and national ex-officio members for the named chapters, in line with the Constitution and Guidelines of the party.
National Publicity Secretary of PDP, Debo Ologunagba, made this known in a statement to the media, yesterday. The NWC charged all aspirants, leaders, critical stakeholders, members of the party in the respective zones, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), security agencies and the media to note the new dates.
Wike had led his camp into a congress in Cross River without the input and participation of the national and zonal leadership of the party. The move by the party effectively removed the party from Wike’s grip in the South South, a move that may free Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, from overt pressure from his predecessor, who is serving in the APC government.
THE reunification of the Lagos PDP faction was disclosed at a reconciliatory meeting at the Victoria Island residence of Muritala Ashorobi, the first chairman of the party in Lagos and Chairman of the Reconciliation Committee.
Prominent members of the party in attendance included former Deputy National Chairman, Olabode George; former minister, Dr Abimbola Ogunkelu; former Board of Trustees (BoT) member, Mrs Aduke Maina and the state Chairman, Philip Aivoji.
In a communiqué issued after the meeting, the leaders resolved to unite and work towards wresting power from APC in 2027. They emphasised that the status quo in the party remained and urged all members to unite in pursuit of the goal.
The communiqué also warned members working underground for the APC to desist or leave the PDP immediately, stating that anti-party activities would no longer be tolerated.
