NATH OMAME, Port Harcourt
Nigeria, May 14, 2016 – Former President Goodluck Jonathan, yesterday, shunned the South South Zonal Congress of the Peoples’ Democratic Party, PDP, held at Dr. Obi Wali Convention Centre, in Port Harcourt, Rivers State. He is also did not send a representative or goodwill message.
Two other governors from the zone: Emmanuel Uduaghan of Delta State and Senator Liyel Imoke of Cross Rivers State also did not attend the zonal congress. Both former governors also did not send representatives. Accredited delegates from the five PDP controlled states in the South South, Akwa Ibom; Bayelsa; Cross Rivers, Delta and Rivers States participated at the congress.
Former Governor of Akwa Ibom State, Godswill Akpabio, was the only former governor on the platform of the PDP that attended the zonal congress. He also delivered a solidarity message at the zonal congress, calling on the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, to conduct the suspended legislative elections in Rivers State.
The former National Vice Chairman of the PDP, consisting of the South South zone, led by Dr Cairo Ojuigbor, was formally dissolved at 2.34pm. The motion to dissolve the former exco was moved by Chief Leo Ogor, Minority Leader in the House of Representatives, at 2.32pm. His motion was seconded by the Chairman of the party in Akwa Ibom State, Umon Ubong.
Chairman of the Electoral Panel of South South Zonal Congress, Owoseni Ajayi, Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, in Ekiti State, who had earlier asked for the former zonal executive to be dissolved further stated that from the official list of contestants obtained from the headquarters of the party, “there is no dissenting list”.
He stressed: “The list of contestants that we were given by the national secretariat of the party has been approved by the National Working Committee, NWC; the state governors and the State Working Committees, SWC”
Ajayi stated that although there was no dissenting list, or anyone challenging any of the candidates already cleared by the NWC, the SWC, and the state governors, the constitution of the PDP states that actual voting process should, however, be complied with”.
The following candidates emerged through popular acclamation. Elder Emmanuel Ogidi, from Delta State, emerged as the National Vice Chairman: Boyelayefa Debekeme, a former Speaker in the Bayelsa House of Assembly, was elected as the zonal secretary; while Bishop Etim Andy, emerged as publicity secretary and Mrs. Juliana Emeh, from Rivers State was chosen as treasurer of the zone.
At the end of voting exercise that lasted about 30 minutes, Ogidi was elected chairman: he received 570 votes with 4 void while Etim Andy was elected secretary with 573 votes with one vote void.
The zonal congress was attended by the host governor, Nyesom Wike, of Rivers State; Seriaki Dickson, of Bayelsa State; Emmanuel Udom, of Akwa Ibom State; Professor Ben Ayade, of Cross Rivers State and Ifeanyi Okowa, of Delta State.
Governor Wike who spoke on behalf of the PDP governors urged members if the party to aside their differences and unite to constructively engaged the ruling party in the 2019 general elections.
He explained: “We are holding the national convention of the PDP in Rivers State because the South South is the backbone of the party in Nigeria. We, who are your governors in the South South have resolved to work together to strengthen the party and win more members”.
