The crisis rocking the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, deepened on Saturday as the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Nyesom Wike and allies purportedly held a South-South PDP Zonal Congress in Calabar, Cross River State, despite a court order against the exercise.
Recall that a High Court in Port Harcourt had issued an interim injunction preventing the South-South Zonal Congress from taking place in Cross River or anywhere else in Nigeria.
The case was brought by Tony Ejiogu, a PDP member from Ward 3 in Etche Local Government Area, and Field Nkoro, a former Vice-Chairman of the South-East PDP.
But Wike participated in the Congress held by his camp in defiance of that subsisting court order.
Also in attendance was the ex-Governor of Cross Rivers State, Donald Duke.
Lere Olayinka, a media aide to Wike, disclosed this on Saturday via a post on his X handle.
“FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, voting at the South-South PDP Zonal Congress going on in Calabar, Cross River State,” Olayinka wrote.
However, the National Working Committee, NWC, of the PDP has dismissed the said gathering in Calabar, saying the party has not conducted its South South Zonal Congress.
Responding to the development on behalf of the PDP, Debo Ologunagba, National Publicity Secretary, stressed that the party has not conducted its South South Zonal Congress and it has yet to communicate a date for the exercise
“The attention of the National Working Committee (NWC) of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has been drawn to a reported social gathering in Calabar, Cross River State, where the organizers 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.
“For emphasis therefore, the PDP states that it has not conducted its South South Zonal Congress and it has yet to communicate a date for the exercise.
“The PDP calls on all party members in the South South Zone, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Security Agencies and the Media to disregard any gathering or outcome of any such gathering in Calabar, Cross River State purported to be the South South Zonal Congress of the PDP.
“Our Party will in due course and through its official channels communicate a new date for the conduct of the South South Zonal Congress.
“The NWC commends the PDP South South State Governors, other leaders, critical stakeholders and members of the Party in the Zone for their loyalty and steadfastness toward the unity, stability and growth of the Party in the South South Zone and the nation,” a statement released by the PDP spokesman said.
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