PDP dares Wike, names S’South caretaker committee (+FULL LIST)

In a strategic move to assert its authority, the National Working Committee (NWC) of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has appointed a caretaker committee for the South-South zone of the party, a decision seen as a direct challenge to Federal Capital Territory Minister, Nyesom Wike.

The announcement came through a statement signed by PDP National Publicity Secretary, Debo Ologunagba, on Friday.

According to the statement, the NWC’s decision aims to prevent a leadership vacuum as the current zonal executive’s tenure ends on Sunday, March 9, 2025.

“The National Working Committee (NWC) of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) 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 statement read.

The caretaker committee members are as follows:

Bro. Emma Ogidi — Chairman

Hon. Nicholas Ayuwa — Member

Barr. Godwin Akpan Udonta — Member

Mrs. Bekewei Ashanti — Member

Idehen Ebomoyi — Member

Dame Vivian Ahanmisi — Member

Chief Damiete Herbert-Miller — Secretary

According to the party, the committee is tasked with overseeing party activities in the zone for three months or until a new executive is elected, in line with PDP’s constitution.

“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,” the statement added.

This development follows the PDP NWC’s disavowal of a South-South Zonal Congress organized by Wike in Calabar, Cross River State, two weeks ago. The party leadership declared the congress unofficial, deepening the rift between Wike and the NWC.

In response, Wike dismissed the NWC’s stance, insisting that the PDP constitution does not mandate the NWC to conduct congresses.

“Nobody can intimidate me,” Wike declared, maintaining that the Calabar congress — attended by former Cross River Governor Donald Duke — was final and that no further congresses would take place in the zone.

Despite the controversy, the congress saw South-South Zonal Vice Chairman Dan Orbih re-elected, further complicating the region’s leadership dynamics.