By John Audu.
Nyesom Wike, Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, has boldly challenged the National Working Committee (NWC) of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) regarding their position on the South-South zonal congress.
On Saturday, members of the PDP loyal to Wike proceeded with the South-South Zonal Congress in Calabar, Cross River State, despite a court injunction prohibiting the event. A High Court in Port Harcourt had issued an interim order preventing the congress from taking place.
Nevertheless, Wike and his supporters, including former Cross River State Governor Donald Duke, actively participated in the congress, casting their votes despite the legal restrictions.
In response, the PDP’s NWC distanced itself from the gathering, asserting that the party was not involved in the “said gathering in Calabar” and maintained that the South-South Zonal Congress had not been conducted.
During the congress, Wike delivered a goodwill message, emphasizing that it is common for not all delegates to be present at such events. He urged attendees to elect officials who would defend and protect the party’s interests.
“The South-South Zone is the strongest zone of the PDP in Nigeria. It has always been and will always be,” Wike stated. “There is no provision in the constitution that mandates postponing a congress due to a wedding or travel commitments.”
He further declared, “There has never been a congress where every delegate was present. I want to assure you that this is the final zonal congress of the South-South Zone. After today’s election, no other zonal congress will take place.”
Wike asserted his commitment to the party, stating, “This is our job, our terrain, and we are not new to this. Nobody can intimidate me, and I don’t need to be a governor. Let us unite in truth to ensure our party remains strong, and we can only achieve unity through honesty.”
