The much-anticipated gathering called by the suspended PDP South-South Deputy Chairman, Chief Dan Orbih, in Calabar, Cross River State, turned out to be a damp squib. The absence of ALL South-South PDP governors and the National Working Committee (NWC) rendered the meeting meaningless and raised questions about the internal dynamics of the party.
The governors of Akwa Ibom, Rivers, Delta, and Bayelsa states, all prominent members of the PDP, were conspicuously absent from the gathering. Their absence was not just a matter of scheduling conflicts; it was a deliberate decision that highlighted the deep-seated divisions within the party. The governors did not send representatives or other party leaders from their respective states, further emphasizing their disapproval of the event.
The NWC of the PDP swiftly distanced itself from the gathering, labeling it a mere social event rather than an official party congress. In a statement, the NWC clarified that it had postponed the South-South Zonal Congress to allow for further consultations on critical issues affecting the smooth conduct of the congress in the zone. This postponement was intended to ensure that all stakeholders were adequately consulted and that the congress would be conducted in a manner that upheld the party’s constitution and guidelines.
Chief Dan Orbih, who had been re-elected as the South-South Zonal Vice Chairman, called the gathering despite his suspension and the NWC’s postponement of the congress. His decision to proceed with the event, despite the lack of official endorsement, underscored the internal power struggles within the PDP. The gathering, which was intended to reaffirm Orbih’s leadership, ultimately lacked legitimacy due to the absence of key party figures and the NWC’s disapproval.
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