Wike’s Loyalists Defy Court Order, Hold PDP South-South Congress in Calabar

The crisis within the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has deepened as loyalists of the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, went ahead with the South-South Zonal Congress in Calabar, Cross River State, on Saturday, despite a subsisting court injunction prohibiting the event.

However, the PDP’s National Working Committee (NWC) swiftly distanced the party from the gathering, stating that no official congress had been conducted. The party emphasized that it had yet to schedule a date for the South-South Congress.

A High Court in Port Harcourt had issued an interim injunction restraining the conduct of the congress anywhere in the country. The suit was filed 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.

Despite the legal hurdle, reports indicate that Wike not only attended the congress but also participated in the voting process. The event was also graced by former Cross River State Governor, Donald Duke. Wike’s media aide, Lere Olayinka, confirmed this in a post on X, sharing images of the minister casting his vote.

Reacting to the development, PDP’s National Publicity Secretary, Debo Ologunagba, described the gathering as an unofficial social event, stressing that the party had no involvement in it. He urged party members, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), security agencies, and the media to disregard any outcome from the gathering.

Ologunagba reassured party members that the PDP would officially communicate a new date for the South-South Zonal Congress at the appropriate time. He also commended PDP governors, stakeholders, and members in the South-South for their steadfastness in upholding the unity and stability of the party.