The People’s Democratic Party (PDP) has dismissed the State Working Committee (SWC) led by Solomon Agwanana in Bayelsa State, appointing George Turnah, the Zonal Secretary, as the Caretaker Chairman for a period of three months. Additionally, the recent changes announced by the South-South Zonal Working Committee also affect Mr. Tony Aziegbemi, the former Caretaker Chairman of the Edo State PDP, who has been succeeded by Nosa Ogieva. The appointment of the caretaker committees was revealed following a meeting held yesterday at the zonal secretariat in Port Harcourt, Rivers State.
A statement from the Zonal Publicity Secretary, Prince Etim Isong, indicated that the establishment of the caretaker committee was a result of the dissolution of the Solomon Agwana-led State Working Committee in Bayelsa and the caretaker committee in Edo State.
Isong noted that the decision to form caretaker committees in both states was prompted by various acts of gross misconduct by the dissolved executives, which constituted clear violations of the party’s Constitution, as well as the poor performance of the party in the recent governorship elections in Edo State and the inadequate management of internal conflicts within the party in both states. He expressed confidence that this decisive action by the Zonal Working Committee would fortify the party’s foundation and promote effective leadership in Bayelsa and Edo states.
Meanwhile, the Edo State PDP has refuted claims made by the party’s National Vice Chairman for the South-South, Dan Orbih, regarding the dismissal of the PDP Zonal Committee Executives in Bayelsa and Edo states. In a statement to the press in Benin, Chris Nehikhare, the Publicity Secretary of the Edo PDP Caretaker Committee, asserted that Orbih lacks the authority to dismiss any executives, emphasizing that his statement is without merit.
According to Nehikhare, Orbih is currently leading the All Progressives Congress (APC) faction of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP). He stated, ‘Only the national leadership of our party possesses the authority and constitutional power to establish caretaker committees. It is the responsibility of the National Working Committee and the National Executive Committee to organize congresses at all levels, from the ward to the state, local councils to the zonal, and the national convention.’
He further mentioned that the party’s congress has yet to take place, especially in the South-South zone, to introduce the new party executives. ‘What exists is the Caretaker Committee in the South-South Zone, chaired by Emmanuel Ogidi, not Dan Orbih,’ Nehikhare clarified. He also pointed out that Orbih has aligned himself with the APC, as evidenced by his unsolicited commendations for the APC-led government in Edo State.
