The internal crisis within the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has intensified as a faction loyal to Nyesom Wike, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), organized the South-South Zonal Congress in Calabar, Cross River State. This event took place despite a court order prohibiting it.

A High Court in Port Harcourt had earlier issued an interim injunction stopping the South-South Zonal Congress from happening anywhere in Nigeria. The case was filed by Tony Ejiogu, a PDP member from Etche Local Government Area, and Field Nkoro, a former Vice-Chairman of the South-East PDP.

However, Wike attended the congress in Calabar and even participated in voting. Former Cross River State Governor, Donald Duke, was also present at the event. Wike’s media aide, Lere Olayinka, confirmed this by posting updates on social media.

The National Working Committee (NWC) of the PDP has disassociated the party from the event. PDP National Publicity Secretary, Debo Ologunagba, issued a statement clarifying that the party had not yet conducted its South-South Zonal Congress and had not communicated a date for it.

He urged PDP members, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), security agencies, and the media to disregard the gathering in Calabar, stating that it was not an official PDP event. Ologunagba assured that the party would announce a new date for the congress through official channels.

This latest development highlights the deepening rift within the PDP. The disagreement between Wike’s camp and the party leadership raises concerns about the unity of the party in the South-South region.

As the PDP leadership works to address these internal conflicts, party members and stakeholders will be closely watching how the situation unfolds.