Political tensions are escalating within the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the South-South region as the party's National Working Committee (NWC) announced the formation of a new Zonal Caretaker Committee. This decision, revealed in a statement by PDP National Publicity Secretary, Debo Ologunagba, aims to manage the party's affairs in the zone starting March 10, 2025. The move intensifies the power struggle between factions supporting and opposing Nyesom Wike, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

The newly appointed caretaker committee is seen as a strategic maneuver to undermine the influence of pro-Wike forces, particularly Chief Dan Orbih, the former PDP South-South Zonal Chairman, and George Turnah, the former Zonal Legal Adviser, who has been designated as the new Zonal Secretary. This action seeks to nullify the Zonal Executive Meeting (ZEM) convened by Orbih in Benin on February 15th, which was perceived as a move to consolidate Wike's control over the region.

Several PDP governors in the South-South are reportedly backing the NWC's decision, signaling a broader effort to counter Wike's influence. Rivers Governor Siminalayi Fubara and his allies are believed to favor alternative leadership arrangements for the zone.

Ologunagba explained that the NWC's decision was driven by the need to prevent a leadership vacuum and ensure the smooth operation of the party in the South-South Zone following the expiration of the current Zonal Executive's tenure on March 9, 2025. The seven-member South South Zonal Caretaker Committee will be chaired by Bro. Emma Ogidi, with Chief Damiete Herbert-Miller serving as Secretary. Other members include Hon. Nicholas Ayuwa, Barrister Godwin Akpan Udonta, Mrs. Bekewei Ashanti, Mr. Idehen Ebomoyi, and Dame Vivian Ahanmisi.

The caretaker committee's mandate is to oversee the party's activities in the zone for three months or until a new Zonal Executive is elected, in accordance with the PDP's constitution. The NWC has urged all party leaders, stakeholders, and members in the South-South Zone to adhere to this decision and collaborate in the best interests of the party.

Adding to the complexity, the PDP had earlier cancelled a zonal congress where Dan Orbih was re-elected as chairman, citing his ongoing suspension. This suspension was seemingly lifted by a letter from the embattled National Secretary, Samuel Anyanwu, in October 2024, a move that has further fueled the internal strife.

The PDP's national leadership justified the caretaker committee's formation by emphasizing the necessity to avoid a vacuum and maintain the party's functionality in the South-South Zone. The committee's members, as listed by Ologunagba, are tasked with managing the party's affairs until a new zonal executive is duly elected.

The NWC has called on all PDP leaders, stakeholders, and members in the South-South zone to respect the decision and work together for the party's overall benefit in the region. This latest development underscores the deep-seated political intrigues and power struggles within the PDP as it navigates its future in the South-South.