By Abiola Olawale
Governor Senator Douye Diri of Bayelsa State has debunked reports about a South-South zonal congress of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), that was shelved, clarifying that the event was postponed at the request of the region’s governors.
The governor made the statement on Monday during the PDP State Executive Council (SEC) meeting at the party’s secretariat in Yenagoa, amidst ongoing tensions within the party.
Diri explained that the South-South zonal congress, originally scheduled for February 22, was deferred after the four PDP governors in the region, himself inclusive communicated to the National Working Committee (NWC) that the date was inconvenient.
He emphasized that no congress had taken place in Calabar, Cross River State, as some reports had claimed, and dismissed such narratives as baseless.
According to Diri, the national leadership of the PDP has rejected any purported congress and will announce a new date in due course.
He asserted: “Our party remains united and focused in Bayelsa and across the South-South. Those spreading rumours of a congress in Calabar are mistaken. The governors requested a postponement, and the NWC honoured it. At the right time, a proper congress will hold.”
The governor’s comments come amid a brewing crisis within the PDP, particularly in the South-South zone, where factional disputes have surfaced.
Reports had emerged of a purported zonal congress in Calabar, Cross River, organized by allies of the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike.
However, Diri maintained that the PDP’s national leadership did not sanction any such gathering. Diri also used the opportunity to reassure party members in Bayelsa of the PDP’s dominance in the state, describing it as “the party to beat.”
He urged members to ignore divisive rumours and focus on strengthening the party’s unity. “The PDP in Bayelsa remains the strongest political force. This is the party that has produced governors, senators, and even a president from our state. We are unshakable,” he added.
