PDP disowns south-south zonal congress in Cross River

The Peoples Democratic Party has dismissed claims that it carried out its South-South Zonal Congress, stating {that a} reported gathering in Calabar, Cross River State, was not an official occasion of the occasion.

This was disclosed in an announcement on Saturday by the occasion’s Nationwide Publicity Secretary, Debo Ologunagba.

“The eye of the Nationwide Working Committee of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has been drawn to a reported social gathering in Calabar, Cross River State, the place the organisers falsely claimed identical to be the South-South Zonal Congress of the PDP.

“On the contrary, the PDP states in clear phrases that it has not carried out its South-South Zonal Congress neither is it in any manner concerned within the mentioned gathering in Calabar”, the assertion partly learn.

The assertion additional defined that the occasion had formally postponed the congress to permit for broader consultations.

“For the avoidance of doubt, the NWC at its assembly on Thursday, February 20, 2025, within the train of its powers below Part 29 (2)(b), pursuant to Part 31 (2) (c) and (j) of the Structure of the PDP (as amended in 2017), postponed the conduct of the South-South Zonal Congress from the sooner scheduled date of Saturday, February 22, 2025, in order to permit for additional session on vital points regarding the sleek conduct of the Congress within the Zone.

“For readability, whereas Part 29 (2)(b) of the PDP Structure empowers the NWC to ‘in case of emergency, act on behalf of the Nationwide Government Committee topic to the ratification of the Nationwide Government Committee,’ Part 31(2)(c) expressly offers that the Nationwide Government Committee shall ‘supervise and direct the work of the Party and all its organs together with the Nationwide, Zonal, State and Native Authorities organs.’

“In the identical vein, Part 31(2)(j) empowers the Nationwide Government Committee ‘…to make Party electoral rules to control the conduct of elections to all Party places of work at each stage and regulate procedures for choosing the Party candidates for elective places of work’”, the assertion additional said.

Reiterating its stance, the occasion urged members and stakeholders to ignore any occasion claiming to be its zonal congress.

“For emphasis, due to this fact, the PDP states that it has not carried out its South-South Zonal Congress and it has but to speak a date for the train.

“The PDP calls on all occasion members within the South South Zone, the Unbiased Nationwide Electoral Fee (INEC), Safety Businesses, and the Media to ignore any gathering or end result of any such gathering in Calabar, Cross River State presupposed to be the South-South Zonal Congress of the PDP.

“Our occasion will in the end and thru its official channels talk a brand new date for the conduct of the South-South Zonal Congress”, it added.

The occasion additionally appreciated the continued assist of its leaders and stakeholders within the area.

“The NWC commends the PDP South South State Governors, different leaders, vital stakeholders, and members of the Party within the Zone for his or her loyalty and steadfastness towards the unity, stability, and progress of the Party within the South-South Zone and the nation”, the assertion concluded.