Politics

PDP Sets Up South-South Zonal Caretaker Committee

Published

10 months ago

March 7, 2025

The Peoples Democratic Party has challenged the ex-Governor of Rivers State, Nyesom Wike, by establishing a Caretaker Committee in the South-South.

In a statement issued on Friday by its National Publicity Secretary, Debo Ologunagba, the PDP explained that the decision by the National Working Committee was based on the need to prevent any leadership vacuum and ensure the continued smooth operation of the Party in the South-South Zone after the current Zonal Executive’s tenure ends on Sunday, March 9, 2025.

Recall that the Rivers State High Court in Port Harcourt had issued a restraining order preventing the PDP and the National Vice Chairman of the South-South, Dan Orbih, from holding the zonal congress. The claimants in the case, marked PHC/551/CS/2025, were PDP members from Rivers State, Tonu Ejiogu and Field Nkor.

Despite the court’s ruling, the party on February 22 proceeded with the congress. Vita Abba, the chairman of the electoral committee, announced that Orbih won the election with 174 votes. Other elected officials included Alabah Turnah (Secretary), Evelyn Weke (Treasurer), Ijeoma Obani (Financial Secretary), Timothy Okwoche (Organizing Secretary), Iyrneri Briggs (Legal Adviser), Prince Etim Isong (Publicity Secretary), Loveday Abaribote (Auditor), Phenomena Esubok (Woman Leader), and Patrick Asuquo (Youth Leader).

The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Wike, who supported and attended the congress in Calabar, Cross River State, called the South-South the PDP’s strongest base, insisting that no other congress would be held in the region.

Wike maintained that the Zonal Congress was legally organized and that Orbih remains the National Vice Chairman.

Regarding the four South-South governors who abstained from the congress, the PDP distanced itself from the Calabar congress and stated that it would announce a new date for the zonal congresses in due course.

However, disregarding Wike’s stance, the Umar Damagum-led NWC appointed Emma Ogidi as the Chairman of the Caretaker Committee for the South-South Zonal chapter.

The statement read in part “The National Working Committee of the Peoples Democratic Party has, pursuant to the provisions of the Constitution of the PDP (as amended in 2017) approved the composition of the South South Zonal Caretaker Committee to manage the affairs of the Party in the Zone from Monday, March 10, 2025.

“The decision of the NWC is predicated on the need to avoid any vacuum and ensure the smooth running of the affairs of the Party in the South South Zone at the expiration of the tenure of the current Zonal Executive on Sunday, March 9, 2025”

The PDP also appointed Chief Damiete Herbert-Miller as Secretary, and Nicholas Ayuwa, Godwin Akpan Udonta, Mrs. Bekewei Ashanti, Idehen Ebomoyim, and Dame Vivian Ahanmisi as members.

The statement read in part “The South South Zonal Caretaker Committee is to oversee the activities of the Party in the Zone for a period of three month or until when a new Zonal Executive is elected in accordance with the provisions of the Constitution of the PDP

“The NWC enjoins all Party leaders, critical stakeholders and members of the PDP in the South South Zone to be guided by this and continue to work together in the overall interest of the Party in the Zone.”

Politics

PDP Crisis: INEC Rejects Turaki-led NWC

Published

15 hours ago

December 23, 2025

Editor

The Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, has said it will not recognise the Kabiru Turaki-led National Working Committee, NWC, of the Peoples Democratic Party, citing existing court judgments and unresolved legal processes.

This was as contained in a letter dated December 22, 2025, signed by INEC Secretary, Dr Rose Oriaran-Anthony.

The Commission stated that it could not act on demands to acknowledge or upload on its website the list of national officers said to have been elected at the National Convention held on November 15 and 16, 2025, in Ibadan.

According to INEC, its position was guided by subsisting court decisions and pending litigation relating to the leadership crisis within the PDP.

The electoral body further noted that it would be improper to recognise any factional officers while the matter remains before the courts.

Politics

Govt That Fails To Protect Its Citizens Has No Business Remaining In Office – Kwankwaso

Published

16 hours ago

December 23, 2025

Editor

Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, leader of the Kwankwasiyya Movement and 2023 presidential candidate of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), has accused the Federal Government under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu of lacking the political will to tackle Nigeria’s worsening insecurity.

Kwankwaso spoke on Tuesday in Kano while unveiling 2,000 operatives of the Kano State Neighbourhood Security Network.

He urged President Tinubu to “rise to the occasion and truly act as the Commander-in-Chief” in addressing banditry and other security challenges.

According to him, Nigeria’s military “remains one of the most gallant in the world,” having served in international peacekeeping missions in Darfur, Liberia, and other conflict zones.

However, he said the armed forces are not being adequately supported to perform optimally.

“Today, many innocent Nigerians are being killed, while the perpetrators walk freely as if nothing happened. The government must apologise to Nigerians for its laxity in the fight against insecurity,” he said.

Kwankwaso, who once served as Minister of Defence, added: “When I was Defence Minister, I knew the capability of the Nigerian military. They are courageous and professional but need clear direction, support, and political will to do the needful.”

He stressed that Nigeria’s armed forces had historically ranked among the best globally and urged the government to equip them properly to change the current security situation.

Kwankwaso also said that if elected president in 2027, he would recruit over one million additional military personnel to strengthen national security.

“Any government that fails to protect the lives and property of its citizens has failed woefully and has no business remaining in office,” he declared.

He further called on the Federal Government to integrate community-based security initiatives, like the Kano Neighbourhood Security Network, into the national security system to boost morale and improve intelligence-driven operations against criminals.

Politics

ADC Announces Temporary Closure Of Secretariat

Published

16 hours ago

December 23, 2025

Editor

The African Democratic Congress, ADC , says it has temporarily closed its National Secretariat as part of the end-of-year break.

A statement by its National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, said full operations are scheduled to resume in the New Year.

According to the statement, the secretariat will close on December 23, 2025, and reopen on January 5, 2026.

The party, however, said essential skeletal services will remain available throughout the period, while all other official activities at the National Secretariat will be suspended to allow staff and party officials observe the Christmas and New Year holidays.

“This is to inform the public that the African Democratic Congress National Secretariat will close for the year on 23rd December 2025 and will resume full operations on 5th January 2026.

“During this period, only skeletal services will be available, while all other official activities at the Secretariat will be temporarily suspended,” the statement said.

The party thanked its members, partners and supporters for their continued loyalty and cooperation throughout the year, noting that their support remains critical to the growth and stability of the party.

The ADC also said it is committed to its ideals and to democratic engagement as it prepares for activities in the coming year.