From Tony John, Port Harcourt
FORMER President Goodluck Jonathan was absent at the South-south zonal congress of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), held at Obi Wali Convention Centre, in Port Harcourt, Rivers State. He also did not send a representative or goodwill message.
Similarly, two former governors from the zone: Emmanuel Uduaghan (Delta State) and Senator Liyel Imoke (Cross River State), did not attend the zonal congress. Both of them did not send representatives either.
Accredited delegates from the five PDP-controlled states in the South-South, Akwa Ibom, Bayelsa, Cross Rivers, Delta and Rivers States participated at the congress.
Meanwhile, Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike, has declared that governors and leaders would do everything legal to ensure that PDP regained the South-south geo-political zone.
The 2016 South-south zonal congress was held successfully in Port Harcourt with Elder Emmanuel Ogidi (Delta State ) emerging the national vice chairman (South-south). He replaced Dr Cairo Ojougboh, whose tenure ended on Saturday, after the dissolution of the zonal exco.
Addressing the South-south PDP zonal congress in Port Harcourt, yesterday, Governor Wike stressed that the governors would provide the required support to PDP members in Edo State to ensure the party wins the governorship election in September.
Governor Wike spoke on behalf of the PDP governors of the zone. Those in attendance included: Udom Emmanuel (Akwa Ibom); Prof Ben Ayade (Cross River), Seriake Dickson (Bayelsa) and Senator Ifeanyi Okowa (Delta). He said: “The South-south governors will make sure that PDP retains the zone. All the governors in the zone work as a family.
We shall give all necessary support to our party members in Edo State for the party to reclaim the state in September”.
The governor said that the National Convention of the party would be successfully held on May 21, in Port Harcourt, pointing out that the rantings of deflated politicians on sponsored television programmes would serve no purpose.
“The PDP governors and leaders of the zone support the national convention, which will hold successfully on May 21, he said.
He said those issuing press statements on the national convention are only struggling to be relevant because they know the strength of the party ahead of next elections.
The governor explained that South-south PDP governors had all proved to be high class performers, having delivered on the development programmes of the party.
Governor Wike called on PDP members to remain united in the zone, as that was the only way they could consolidate on their successes.
Former Governor of Akwa Ibom State, Godswill Akpabio, was the only former governor on the platform of the PDP that attended the zonal congress.
In his remarks, Senate Minority Leader, Senator Akpabio, called on Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), to conclude the rerun elections in Rivers and other states.
He added that South-south PDP National Assembly members worked hard to ensure that the Calabar-Lagos rail line was included in the 2016 budget.