Nyesom Wike, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, has dared the National Working Committee (NWC) of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), saying there would not be another south-south zonal congress after the one held on Saturday in Calabar, Cross River State capital.
Wike stated this while presenting a goodwill message at the congress.
The minister said there has never been a congress or convention where every delegate participated. He charged delegates to elect officials who will defend and protect the party.
He said, “The South-South Zone is the strongest zone of the PDP in Nigeria. It has always been and will always be. There is no part of the constitution that says congress should be postponed because of a wedding or travelling.
“There has never been a congress where every every delegate was present. The constitution did not say the National Working Committee should conduct a congress but the zone. I want to assure you that this is the final zonal congress of the South-South Zone, after the election today, no other zonal congress will hold.
“This is our job, our terrain, and we are not new to this. Nobody can intimidate me and I don’t need to be a governor. Let us put ourselves together in truth and ensure our party remains united and we can only be united when we are truthful. Let us also shine our eyes and elect leaders that will unite and protect our party.”
In his speech, the zonal chairman, Dan Orbih said the problems of the party in the zone are inflicted and insisted that the party should not define the company one keeps.
He also expressed optimism that the congress will help reposition the party and help kick-start the process of rebuilding the party.
The PDP’s NWC has since distanced itself from the Calabar congress.