By Frank Ulom
CALABAR (CONVERSEER) – The Cross River State chapter of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) has rejected claims by the party’s National Working Committee (NWC) that no congress took place in the state, insisting that the exercise was duly conducted in line with established procedures.
In a statement issued by the State Publicity Secretary, Michael Ojisi, on Tuesday, the chapter maintained that the congress was legitimate, having been authorised by the party, supervised by a duly constituted panel, and monitored by statutory bodies including the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), the Police, and the Civil Defence.
“The said Congress was duly monitored by all duly constituted authorities, including the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) team of observers, which was ably led by the Resident Electoral Commissioner himself, the Police and Civil Defence,” Ojisi stated.
Ojisi further questioned the credibility of a purported NWC meeting that allegedly annulled the exercise, describing it as a fabrication. He argued that the congress could not be invalidated based on what he described as a “purported social media chat between five members of the National Working Committee,” stressing that such an arrangement did not constitute a valid NWC meeting capable of reaching binding decisions.
He challenged the national leadership to provide proof of the meeting, including its venue, date, and approved memorandum, while reaffirming the chapter’s loyalty to the PDP’s constitution and internal rules.
“As law-abiding party members, we remain committed to the ideals of the party, remaining loyal to all legitimate decisions of the party taken in accordance with extant rules guiding the process,” Ojisi added.
National Reaction
Ojisi’s remarks come in response to an earlier statement by PDP National Publicity Secretary, Debo Ologunagba, who dismissed reports of a congress in Cross River, Plateau, and Kebbi states.
Speaking in Abuja, Ologunagba declared that the exercises had been formally postponed by the NWC after due consideration.
“For emphasis, there was none. There was no congress in Cross River State for the PDP, because it has been postponed, along with that of Plateau and Kebbi,” Ologunagba said.
He dismissed claims of a congress in Calabar as a “hallucination,” likening it to an “excitement” or “carnival” with no legal standing. According to him, party congresses must follow due process, including approval of dates by the NWC and NEC, a 21-day notice to INEC, and the constitution of both electoral and appeal panels.
Ologunagba also warned that those behind the exercise risk facing disciplinary measures.
“For anybody who has brought this party into disrepute, we know what to do. There’s a constitution. Enough is enough,” he said, urging members to avoid actions that could undermine preparations for the party’s forthcoming national convention.
