The South-South Zone of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has re-elected Dan Orbih as its zonal chairman. The election was held in Calabar, Cross River State, during the party’s zonal congress on Saturday.
Vita Abba, chairman of the electoral committee, announced that Orbih secured 174 votes to emerge as the winner. Several other officials were also elected to key positions within the zonal leadership. These include Alabah Turnah (Secretary), Evelyn Weke (Treasurer), Ijeoma Obani (Financial Secretary), and Timothy Okwoche (Organising Secretary). Others elected were Iyrneri Briggs (Legal Adviser), Prince Etim Isong (Publicity Secretary), Loveday Abaribote (Auditor), Phenomena Esubok (Woman Leader), and Patrick Asuquo (Youth Leader).
Following the election, Orbih addressed party members, acknowledging the internal struggles within the PDP. He stated that the party’s challenges were self-inflicted and promised to put an end to impunity and imposition in the party. He further assured that efforts would be made to restructure and rebrand the party to meet the expectations of its members and supporters.
Orbih said, “We will continue to do what is right for the interest and development of our party in the South-South and Nigeria. This is a very critical moment in the history of our party and we are going to do all we can to end the era of impunity and imposition. We will also start the process of rebuilding and rebranding our party. The expectations are high but we will not disappoint the party.”
He also mentioned that he was unaware of any court injunction prohibiting the congress. According to him, the electoral process was conducted under the guidance of a Federal High Court order from Abuja.
However, the election has sparked controversy as the PDP’s National Working Committee (NWC) dismissed claims that an official zonal congress took place. In a statement released by the party’s National Publicity Secretary, Debo Ologunagba, the PDP distanced itself from the gathering in Calabar.
The statement read, “The attention of the National Working Committee of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has been drawn to a reported social gathering in Calabar, Cross River State, where the organisers falsely claimed same to be the South-South Zonal Congress of the PDP. To the contrary, the PDP states in clear terms that it has not conducted its South-South Zonal Congress neither is it in any way involved in the said gathering in Calabar.”
