Mr Viral
John Alechenu, ABUJA
The twelve Governors elected on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), have begun moves to re-assert their unwritten authority over the day to day running of the party’s affairs.
This is sequel to the growing agitation by party stakeholders across board for the repositioning of the party in line with ongoing alignments and re-alignments in Nigeria’s political space.
Saturday Vanguard gathered in Abuja, that after their first 2025 physical meeting in Asaba, the Delta State capital, on Friday, January 31st, 2025, the governors concluded that the PDP platform’s interest would be better served when they take decisive action.
A party insider familiar with this development who spoke on condition of anonymity for fear of retribution, said, “Our governors have since come to the realization that their interest as well as that of the PDP platform would be better served if they take the party out of the shadows of personality cults.
“The governors were unanimous in their decision to salvage the party’s brand from the damaged done to it by years of internal strife and the schemings for control by former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar and the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Chief Nyesom Wike.
“They told the Acting National Chairman, Amb. Umar Damagum, who many believed was doing Wike’s bidding in cahoots with the former National Secretary, Senator Samuel Anyanwu to either align with the interest of the majority of party members or be prepared to be shown the way out.”
The source further said, “Even if the party decides to go into an alliance with others it must do so from a position of strength they reasoned.”
According to the source, the governors’ resolve was evident in the contests of the communique.
They insisted that the NWC swear in Sunday Udeh-Okoye as National Secretary in line with the Appeal Court Judgement to this effect.
The NWC’s decision postponing the South South Zonal Congress despite preparations made by Wike’s loyalists was also sanctioned by the governors.
A member of the party’s National Executive Committee who also spoke on condition of anonymity said,,”Wike’s decision to go ahead with the Purpurted Congress was a direct challenge to the governors especially those from the South South region. They waited to see how Damagum and the NWC would respond.
“Damagum’s response which came in the form of his open rejection of the Calabar gathering which ‘Wike and co’ claimed to have elected Chief Dan Orbih, as National Vice Chairman was clear.
“The party has gone ahead to set up a seven member caretaker committee to over see the party’s affairs in the zone.”
While inaugurating the South South PDP Zonal Caretaker Committee, on Thursday, Damagum said, “I want to use this opportunity to make it clear that, as far as the PDP is concerned, no election has taken place in the South-South.
“The tenure of the zonal committee has expired, and we still have a few weeks or about a month before conducting the zonal congresses.
“In the meantime, we found it necessary to set up this caretaker committee.”
Nyesom Wike’s influence in the PDP remains significant, despite his current role as Minister of the Federal Capital Territory in an APC-led government.
As a former governor of Rivers State and a major force within the PDP’s South-South structure, Wike’s presence at the Calabar gathering generated significant interest.
Wike’s ability to navigate complex political terrains and maintain a firm grip on the region’s political framework continues to make him a central figure in South-South politics.
He and his supporters are not likely to take the rejection of their “Congress lightly” a party stalwart familiar with the developments said.
Former National Publicity Secretary of the party, Kola Ologbondiyan in an interview with Saturday Vanguard said, “I believe that with the few steps so far taken by the NWC, one can sincerely hope that our party is on track to recovery.
“The setting up of a caretaker committee to prepare ground for congresses to elect new zonal leaders in the South South is a step in the right direction.”
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