Nigeria’s opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has established a temporary leadership body to oversee its operations in the oil-rich South-South region. The National Working Committee (NWC), the party’s highest decision-making organ, announced the formation of a seven-member South-South Zonal Caretaker Committee following its 602nd meeting in Abuja on Saturday. The move aligns with the PDP’s constitution, last amended in 2017, and aims to stabilize party activities amid ongoing organizational processes.
Broderick Emma Ogidi, a veteran party figure, will chair the committee. Other appointees include Nicholas Ayuwa, Godwin Akpan Udonta, Bekewei Ashanti, Idehen Ebomwonyi, Vivian Ahanmisi, and Chief Damiete Herbert-Mille, who will serve as secretary. The group is tasked with managing the party’s affairs for three months or until a new executive committee is elected through democratic processes outlined in the PDP’s statutes.
In a statement released by PDP National Publicity Secretary Debo Ologunagba, the NWC urged members in the six states comprising the South-South geopolitical zone—Akwa Ibom, Bayelsa, Cross River, Delta, Edo, and Rivers—to prioritize collaboration ahead of future electoral contests. The region has historically been a stronghold for the party, making effective leadership critical as Nigeria navigates post-2023 general election dynamics.
The party also formally notified electoral authorities, including the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), alongside security agencies and media organizations, about the administrative changes—a procedural step ensuring transparency in line with Nigerian political regulations. The caretaker committee’s formation follows standard PDP practices during transitional periods, often implemented to address vacancies or prepare for grassroots elections.
Political analysts view the decision as a strategic effort to maintain cohesion in a zone that has recently witnessed internal disputes. The South-South region accounts for significant oil reserves and holds 36 legislative seats at the national level, underscoring its influence in Nigeria’s political economy. By appointing seasoned figures like Ogidi, a former national vice chairman, and Herbert-Mille, a legal expert, the PDP appears to balance regional representation with administrative experience.
While the caretaker committee’s tenure is provisional, its mandate could shape the party’s readiness for upcoming state and national elections. The PDP, which governed Nigeria for 16 years until 2015, seeks to rebuild its influence after losing the presidency to the rival All Progressives Congress in the 2023 polls. Observers note that stabilizing regional structures remains vital for opposition parties aiming to challenge dominant political forces in Africa’s most populous democracy.
The development reflects broader efforts by Nigerian political entities to adhere to constitutional frameworks while addressing internal governance needs. As the three-month timeline progresses, attention will focus on the committee’s ability to unify factions and lay groundwork for credible zonal elections.
