Wike Locks Horns With PDP NWC, Declares South-South Congress Final Despite Court Order

A major political showdown has erupted within the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) as Nyesom Wike, Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), has openly defied the party's National Working Committee (NWC), declaring that the South-South Zonal Congress held in Calabar, Cross River State, is final and irreversible despite a court injunction against it.

The defiant congress, which saw participation from key political figures including former Cross River State Governor, Donald Duke, was conducted on Saturday, February 17, 2024, despite an interim injunction issued by a Port Harcourt High Court, barring the event from taking place.

While Wike and his loyalists proceeded with the congress, the PDP's National Working Committee (NWC) quickly moved to disown the exercise, stating that the party had not sanctioned any such gathering in Calabar and insisting that the South-South Zonal Congress had not been officially conducted.

This declaration by the PDP leadership sets the stage for an imminent legal and political battle that could deepen the factional crisis within the opposition party.

Despite the PDP NWC's position, Wike remained unapologetic and resolute, dismissing attempts to discredit the congress. Speaking at the event, he openly challenged the authority of the party's leadership:

"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 a congress should be postponed because of a wedding or traveling.ÔÇØ

Reiterating his stance, Wike declared that no other congress would be held, insisting that the Calabar congress was final:

"There has never been a congress where every delegate was present. I want to assure you that this is the final zonal congress of the South-South Zone. After today's election, no other zonal congress will hold.ÔÇØ

Wike's defiance is widely seen as a direct challenge to the PDP's leadership, as the former Rivers State governor continues to assert his political dominance in the South-South region.

His actions, coupled with recent meetings with opposition figures, have fueled speculations that Wike might be exploring a political realignment ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Legal experts argue that Wike's move could have legal consequences, given that the congress was held in direct violation of a court injunction. If the PDP NWC chooses to pursue legal action, it could lead to the nullification of the congress, sparking further internal division.

Meanwhile, political analysts believe Wike's continued defiance may shape the future of the PDP, as party members are now forced to pick sides between the NWC and Wike's faction.

The power struggle within the PDP raises serious concerns over the stability of the party ahead of the 2027 elections. With Wike's camp standing firm and the NWC refusing to acknowledge the congress, the PDP appears to be heading towards a deeper internal crisis.

The big question now is: Will the PDP reconcile these factions, or will this battle mark the beginning of a full-blown split?