Agency report
The Peoples Democratic Party has dismissed claims of holding a state congress in Cross River, insisting that no such exercise took place, while reaffirming its commitment to an all-inclusive national convention.
PDP National Publicity Secretary, Debo Ologunagba, who stated this while addressing newsmen in Abuja on Monday, said the party is ready to hold an all-inclusive convention in Ibadan, Oyo State, on November 15 and 16.
In separate letters to the Independent National Electoral Commission obtained by Sunday PUNCH, the acting National Chairman of the PDP, Umar Damagum, with the backing of Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde, announced the postponement of state congresses in Cross River, Kebbi, and Plateau States.
However, in a counter letter, the party’s National Secretary, Senator Samuel Anyanwu, a close ally of Nyesom Wike, insisted that the congresses in the three states would still hold on Saturday, September 27, as originally scheduled.
At its 101st NEC meeting on July 24, the PDP resolved to restructure and reposition itself by convening a National Elective Convention in Ibadan, Oyo State, on November 15 and 16, where 19 new members of the National Working Committee are expected to be elected.
But Wike, dissatisfied with the South-South Caretaker Committee set up by the NWC, warned that the refusal to recognise Chief Dan Orbih’s election as National Vice Chairman (South-South) could pose a major setback for the party.
While the dispute appeared to have been temporarily contained, Wike maintained that a further crisis would be inevitable if Orbih’s mandate were disregarded.
