Damagum disowns Wike-backed south-south zonal congress

Umar Damagum, acting chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), has disowned the south-south zonal congress held in February.

BACKGROUND

On February 22, the south-south zone of the PDP re-elected Dan Orbih, an ally of Nyesom Wike, as its chairman.

Orbih was re-elected at the zonal congress held in Calabar, the Cross River state capital.

Members of the party also elected other officials, including Alabah Turnah, (secretary), Evelyn Weke (treasurer), Ijeoma Obani (financial secretary), and Timothy Okwoche (organising secretary).

Others are Iyrneri Briggs (legal adviser), Prince Isong (publicity secretary), Loveday Abaribote (auditor), Phenomena Esubok (woman leader), and Patrick Asuquo (youth leader).

Wike, minister of the federal capital territory (FCT), and Donald Duke, former governor of Cross River state, attended the congress.

Wike, who spoke after the event, said no other congress would be held till the tenure of the elected officials expires.

“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,” he said.

“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 be held.”

The election was held after Debo Ologunagba, PDP spokesperson, announced the postponement of the congress, saying a new date would be fixed.

‘NO CONGRESS WAS HELD’

Speaking on Thursday during the inauguration of the south-south zonal caretaker committee at the party’s secretariat, Damagum said the NWC does not recognise the election.

“As far as the NWC is concerned, the south-south zonal congress has not been held. Since their tenure has ended, we are setting up a caretaker committee today,” Damagum said.

Douye Diri, Bayelsa governor; Adolphus Wabara, PDP BoT chairman; and Uche Secondus, former PDP national chairman, attended the event.