Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has reaffirmed that the South-South region remains the strongest base of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Nigeria.
Wike made this declaration on Saturday in Calabar, Cross River State, while delivering a goodwill message at the disputed South-South Zonal Congress of the party.
Addressing delegates, Wike emphasized that party congresses have never required full attendance of all delegates, urging members to elect leaders who will defend and strengthen the party.
“The South-South Zone is the strongest zone of the PDP in Nigeria. It has always been and will always be. There is no part of the constitution that says Congress should be postponed because of a wedding or travelling,” he stated.
He also insisted that the National Working Committee (NWC) does not have the authority to conduct zonal congresses.
“There has never been a congress where every delegate was present. The constitution did not say the National Working Committee should conduct a congress but the zone. I want to assure you that this is the final zonal congress of the South-South Zone. After the election today, no other zonal congress will hold.”
Wike further dismissed any attempts to interfere with the process, emphasizing his commitment to ensuring the party remains united and strong.
“This is our job, our terrain, and we are not new to this. Nobody can intimidate me, and I don’t need to be a governor. Let us put ourselves together in truth and ensure our party remains united, and we can only be united when we are truthful. Let us also shine our eyes and elect leaders that will unite and protect our party,” he said.
Also speaking at the congress, Dan Orbih, the PDP South-South Zonal Chairman, admitted that the party’s challenges in the region were self-inflicted.
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He emphasized that the congress was an opportunity to reposition the party and begin the process of rebuilding.
“The problems of the party in the zone are inflicted, and we must address them. The congress will help reposition the party and help kick-start the process of rebuilding,” Orbih stated.
Meanwhile, the PDP’s National Working Committee (NWC) has disowned the event in Calabar, insisting that no official South-South Zonal Congress has been held.
The party’s National Publicity Secretary, Debo Ologunagba, made this known in a statement on Saturday, urging party members to disregard any claims about the legitimacy of the gathering.
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