The South-South Zonal Working Committee of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has taken a bold step by reshuffling leadership in two key states—Bayelsa and Edo—sparking intense political discussion across the region.
Following a crucial meeting held on Tuesday at the PDP’s zonal headquarters in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, the committee, led by National Vice Chairman (South-South) Chief Dan Orbih, dissolved the Solomon Agwanana-led executive in Bayelsa.
In Edo State, the interim leadership under Dr. Tony Aziegbemi was replaced entirely. The shake-up comes amid allegations of gross misconduct, failure to handle internal party matters, and underwhelming performance during recent elections.
The PDP zonal body, seen by many as operating with the support of Federal Capital Territory Minister Nyesom Wike, swiftly named new caretaker committees to manage affairs in both states for a 90-day period.
In Bayelsa, George Turnah—widely recognized as a staunch ally of Wike—was announced as chairman. Turnah is also reportedly behind an upcoming rally to honor President Bola Tinubu and Minister Wike.
In Edo, Nosa Ogieva was installed as caretaker chairman, replacing Aziegbemi. Others appointed to the new team include Chief Sunny Okomayin as deputy chairman and Hillary Otsu as secretary.
These changes come on the heels of Chief Orbih’s donation of a new secretariat building to the Edo PDP on April 16, where he warned the previous executives to stop presenting themselves as party leaders.
The Zonal Publicity Secretary, Etim Isong, issued a formal statement explaining that the move aims to restore order and strengthen the party ahead of future elections.
“The decision to set up caretaker committees for both states follows the dissolution of the Bayelsa State Working Committee and the Edo State Caretaker Committee due to various acts of gross misconduct by the dissolved executives—acts that clearly breached the party’s constitution—as well as the party’s poor performance in the last Edo governorship election and the mishandling of internal crises in both states,” the statement read.
The new Bayelsa caretaker committee includes Tony Gabriel as deputy chairman, Ebilade Ekerefe as secretary, and Didi Werilaghebofa as vice chairman for the Central zone. Others named were Andy Majors (Vice Chairman, East), Evelyn Bolouebi Odi (Vice Chairman, West), and Biobelemoye Ogoniwari (Treasurer).
For Edo State, Ehisota Oriakhi will serve as Vice Chairman (Central), with Richard Ehimigbai (North) and Benjamin Ehinlebodiaye as Treasurer.
Despite reported objections from the PDP National Working Committee, the South-South leadership insists the restructuring aligns with the party’s constitution and is necessary to fix ongoing issues in the two states.
