By Anne Azuka
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) on Wednesday inaugurated an 11-member Caretaker Committee for Delta State, drawing a large crowd of party members, leaders and supporters to Asaba in a show of renewed solidarity and resolve.
The event, which also doubled as a stakeholders’ meeting, marked the party’s most significant public outing in the state in months, following the defection of much of its former structure to the All Progressives Congress (APC).
Addressing party members at the gathering, Elder Emmanuel Ogidi, South-South Chairman of the PDP and representative of the Dr Kabiru Turaki-led National Working Committee (NWC), urged members to remain steadfast and focused despite ongoing leadership disputes within the party.
Ogidi accused defectors of abandoning the party that, according to him, had helped build their political careers. He expressed confidence that the internal legal disputes confronting the PDP would be resolved in the near future.
On the party’s Ibadan national convention and related controversies, Ogidi said the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) was present at the party’s National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting where convention issues were discussed. He alleged that the electoral umpire had not been neutral in handling the party’s internal disputes.
He also criticised the Senate’s rejection of electronic transmission of election results, stating that PDP members would remain vigilant in protecting their votes during the 2027 general elections.
“I know many of you have been wondering what has been happening. You have kept faith and remained loyal to the PDP despite threats and pressure to abandon the party,” Ogidi said. “The PDP is the only party in this country that has not changed its name, logo or ideology. It has remained people-oriented.”
Several Board of Trustees (BoT) members and party leaders also addressed the gathering, including Dame Esther Uduehi and Chief Ejiofor Onyia. They described the turnout as evidence that the PDP remained vibrant in Delta State, contrary to claims that the party had collapsed.
Uduehi said the loss of some governors in the South-South did not equate to losing the support of the people. “The masses of the South-South remain PDP members,” she said. “We believe that in a free and fair 2027 general election, the PDP will emerge victorious.”
She added that the party was determined to reclaim power and restore Nigeria’s standing on the global stage. “The PDP that helped build Nigeria is alive and ready to work hard to regain control of government,” Uduehi said.
Chief Ejiofor Onyia commended Elder Ogidi for sustaining the party’s presence in Delta State despite the wave of defections. Speaking pointedly, Onyia criticised politicians who switch parties, arguing that ideology and principles should guide political affiliation. His comments were met with loud reactions from party faithful.
Other speakers at the event included PDP chieftain, Chief Clement Ufuani, and the Anambra State Chairman of the PDP, who also serves as Chairman of the PDP Forum of State Chairmen. They reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening the party ahead of the 2027 elections.
A major highlight of the event was the formal inauguration of the Delta State PDP Caretaker Committee, with Professor Sylvester Monye named as chairman. The committee was inaugurated by the national leadership of the party and given a three-month mandate to reposition the PDP in the state ahead of its elective congress.
In his acceptance speech, Professor Monye pledged to lead an inclusive process aimed at rebuilding and uniting the party. He called for cooperation from all members and assured stakeholders that the committee would deliver on its mandate in line with the PDP constitution.
“We are ready to engage meaningfully with all stakeholders to rebuild the party ahead of the 2027 general elections,” Monye said. “With the support of party members, we will fulfil our responsibilities within the stipulated three-month tenure.”
The PDP leadership expressed optimism that the caretaker committee would stabilise the party in Delta State and lay the groundwork for a strong electoral showing in the coming years.
