FCT Minister Nyesom Wike, former governor of Cross River Donald Duke and others on Saturday attended the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) zonal congress in Calabar, Cross River state.
During the event, Dan Orbih was reelected as Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) South-South Zonal Chairman
Chairman of the electoral committee Vita Abba said Orbih polled 174 votes to emerge the winner of the election.
Other officials elected include Alabah Turnah, (Secretary), Evelyn Weke (Treasurer), Ijeoma Obani (Financial Secretary) and Timothy Okwoche (Organising Secretary).
Other elected officials are Iyrneri Briggs (Legal Adviser), Prince Etim Isong (Publicity Secretary), Loveday Abaribote (Auditor), Phenomena Esubok (Woman leader), and Patrick Asuquo (Youth Leader).
Speaking after the congress, the newly elected zonal chairman, Orbih said the party’s problems are self-inflicted and promised to end impunity and imposition in the party and start the process of redeveloping and rebranding the party.
He said “We will continue to do what is right for the interest and development of our party in the South South and Nigeria.
“This is a very critical moment in the history of our party and we are going to do all we can to end the era of impunity and imposition. We will also start the process of rebuilding and rebranding our party. The expectations are high but we will not disappoint the party.”
He also disclosed that he is not aware of any court injunction saying the party cannot conduct the zonal congress.
He said they are guided by the order of the Federal High Court Abuja to conduct the Congress.
PDP, on Saturday, dismissed claims that it conducted its South-South Zonal Congress, stating that a reported gathering in Calabar, Cross River State, was not an official event of the party.
The dismissal was made in a statement by the party’s National Publicity Secretary, Debo Ologunagba.
“The attention of the National Working Committee of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has been drawn to a reported social gathering in Calabar, Cross River State, where the organisers falsely claimed same to be the South-South Zonal Congress of the PDP.
“To the contrary, the PDP states in clear terms that it has not conducted its South-South Zonal Congress neither is it in any way involved in the said gathering in Calabar”, the statement partly read.
Meanwhile speaking at the zonal meeting, FCT minister, Nyesom Wike disclosed that the South-South zone is the strongest zone of the Peoples Democratic Party in Nigeria.
The minister said there has never been a congress or convention where every delegate participated and charged delegates to elect officials who will defend and protect the party.
He said, “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 added.
“There has never been a congress where every 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.
“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.
