PDP Disowns Unauthorized South-South Congress, Declares It Null and Void

The Acting National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Umar Damagum, has outrightly dismissed the South-South Zonal Congress staged by allies of former Rivers State Governor in Calabar, Cross River State, on February 22.

In his first public reaction to the contentious gathering, Damagum stressed that the PDP had not sanctioned any congress in the region, as the tenure of the former zonal executives had only recently lapsed.

Speaking at the inauguration of the South-South Zonal Caretaker Committee in Abuja on Thursday, he asserted, “As far as the PDP is concerned, no election has been held in the South-South. The zonal committee’s tenure has expired, and a congress will be scheduled in the coming weeks. Until then, this caretaker committee will oversee party affairs in the region.”

Damagum urged the newly appointed committee to uphold fairness, neutrality, and inclusivity while steering the zone towards a properly constituted executive body. He also reaffirmed the PDP’s resilience and commitment to providing Nigerians with a credible alternative in the 2027 elections.

Warning party leaders against defecting out of intimidation, he emphasized the PDP’s enduring legacy and capacity to reclaim power.

In response, the committee’s Chairman, Emmanuel Ogidi, expressed appreciation for the opportunity to serve and pledged to discharge their duties without bias.