By Ogochukwu Isioma
The South-south zonal leadership of People’s Democratic Party (PDP) has warned the party’s national headquarters against a planned “downgrading” of Port Harcourt as its zonal headquarters.
The South-south PDP also said the move by the National PDP was not only unjustifiable, but was also unconstitutional.
These were contained in a communique released by the South-south zonal leaders at the end of their meeting in Port Harcourt on Monday.
In the communique, the leaders said: “Worried by the unabating crises in the Party since the Presidential Primaries, and in appreciation of the need for unity and cohesion, particularly in the build-up to the 2023 General Elections, the Zonal Working Committee welcomes the idea of a National Zonal Consultative Tour.
“However, the Zonal Working Committee notes with grave concern, the fact that the consultative tour to the South South Zone is regrettably without justification, planned to hold outside the Zonal Head Quarters, Port Harcourt, Rivers State.
“This we resolve, is not acceptable to the Party leadership in the Zone as it is capable of further dividing leaders of the Party in the Zone.
“To this end, the Zonal Working Committee further resolves that the Consultative Tour of the Party should hold at the Zonal Headquarters, Port Harcourt, Rivers State.
“It is to be noted that holding any of such meeting outside the Zonal Headquarters will aggravate issues and not achieve the desired move for reconciliation, peace, and unity in the Party.”
Text of the communique…
Communique issued at the end of the Zonal Working Committee Meeting of the Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP) South South Zone
At a well-attended Zonal Working Committee Meeting of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) South South Zone held on Monday 19th September, 2022 at the Zonal Headquarters in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, presided over by the National Vice Chairman, South-South, Chief Dan Osi Orbih, the following resolutions were passed:
1. That the Zonal Working Committee notes with pride, the continuous excellent and satisfactory developmental strides and performance of the Party’s Governors in the Zone.
2. The Zonal Working Committee further notes with excitement, the unwavering loyalty, commitment and faithfulness of Party members in Cross Rivers State and accordingly commends the leadership of the Party in the State for continuously standing up for the Party and its members even in the face of unwarranted aggression and intimidation by undemocratic forces in the State.
To this end, the Zonal Working Committee notes for commendation, the role, efforts and support of His Excellency, Chief Ezenwo Nyesom Wike CON, Governor of Rivers State in keeping the Party alive and strong in Cross Rivers State.
3. The Zonal Working Committee notes with concern, current issues of conflict of interest and confidence crises amongst notable and very senior leaders of the Party within the Zone and wishes to assure Party faithful across the Zone of its determination and readiness to deal with the issues and bring the conflicts to an appreciable end in the overall interest of the Party. Accordingly, the Zonal Working Committee has set in motion, machinery to resolve contending issues and dispute amongst leaders of the Party in the Zone
4. Worried by the unabating crises in the Party since the Presidential Primaries, and in appreciation of the need for unity and cohesion, particularly in the build-up to the 2023 General Elections, the Zonal Working Committee welcomes the idea of a National Zonal Consultative Tour. However, the Zonal Working Committee notes with grave concern, the fact that the consultative tour to the South South Zone is regrettably without justification, planned to hold outside the Zonal Head Quarters, Port Harcourt, Rivers State. This we resolve, is not acceptable to the Party leadership in the Zone as it is capable of further dividing leaders of the Party in the Zone. To this end, the Zonal Working Committee further resolves that the Consultative Tour of the Party should hold at the Zonal Headquaters, Port Harcourt, Rivers State. It is to be noted that holding any of such meeting outside the Zonal Headquarters will aggravate issues and not achieve the desired move for reconciliation, peace, and unity in the Party.
5. Further to the above, the Zonal Working Committee notes that by virtue of Section 31 (2) (d) of the Party’s Constitution 2017 (As amended), all organs of the Party are expected to function DEMOCRATICALLY. To this end, it should be noted that holding the South South Zonal Consultative Tour anywhere outside the Zonal Head Quarters will amount to a breach of Section 31 (2) (d) of the Party’s Constitution, and the Zonal Working Committee will not be a party to any breach of the Party’s rules let alone its Constitution.
6. The Zonal Working Committee resolves to henceforth, resist any action capable of deepening and; or widening the crises of confidence amongst leaders of the Party in the Zone.
7. Finally, the Zonal Working Committee thanks and appreciates Party leaders and Members across the Zone, particularly our Governors for their unending support and encouragement to the Zonal Working Committee.
E-Signed
FOR: THE SOUTH SOUTH ZONAL WORKING COMMITTEE OF THE PEOPLES DEMOCRATIC PARTY
Ekom .N. Akonjom
ORGANIZING SECRETARY,
SOUTH-SOUTH,
Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
