By Kelvin Obambon
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) South-South Zonal Caretaker Committee has officially confirmed the postponement of the Congress scheduled for Saturday September 27, 2025, in Cross River State.
The confirmation was made by Chief Emmanuel Ogidi, Chairman of the Committee, during the party stakeholders meeting held in Calabar on Thursday, September 25, 2025.
Chief Ogidi stated that the decision to postpone the congress, originally set for Saturday, was taken by the National Working Committee (NWC) to ensure proper adherence to party rules and maintain order within the party. He emphasized that the party does not operate based on social media reactions or external court orders but follows its internal regulations strictly, aligning with directives from the Supreme Court affirming the autonomy of party affairs when conducted according to party rules.
Addressing controversies surrounding the congress, Ogidi revealed that efforts to engage the former chairman, Venatius Ikem were unsuccessful, as he did not attend a scheduled meeting at the party secretariat in Calabar. He reassured members that legal channels are respected, stating the party’s willingness to respond to any injunctions appropriately within its framework.
Moreover, the chairman declared a shift in the party’s disciplinary approach, stating that “Having previously emphasized leniency, PDP is moving towards stricter enforcement of discipline among members at the appropriate time, based on the party’s own rules.”
He further clarified the party’s governance structure, noting that while the National Executive Committee (NEC) and the convention are the highest authorities, the NWC is empowered to make interim decisions on their behalf, pending ratification at subsequent NEC meetings. He stressed that the next NEC meeting, scheduled for October, would review and ratify the actions taken by the caretaker committee.
Rejecting claims by some groups regarding unauthorized congress activities, Ogidi confirmed that only decisions and congresses recognized by the NWC and NEC are valid. He warned that any congress held outside these structures would not be recognized by the party.
The committee reiterated its commitment to following due process, ensuring lawful conduct in party affairs, and maintaining unity within the party through discipline and adherence to constitutional protocols.
