The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has dismissed reports claiming that congresses were conducted in Ebonyi State, insisting that no valid exercise took place at the ward, local government, or state level.

In a statement issued on Friday, the National Vice Chairman of PDP (South East Zone), Goodluck Chidiebere Egwu, through his Special Assistant, Prince Ify Chijoke, described the purported congresses as “an illegal, stage-managed charade orchestrated by APC-sponsored agents.”

Egwu clarified that by PDP’s procedure, any legitimate congress must follow due process. This includes the National Working Committee (NWC) handing congress forms to zonal officials, with INEC monitoring and supervising the exercise. None of these steps, he said, were followed in Ebonyi.

He also cited a ruling of the Federal High Court in Abakaliki, delivered on December 11, 2024, which categorically restrained the PDP from conducting congresses in the state and barred INEC from monitoring such an exercise. That order, according to him, has not been appealed or set aside, making it binding.

“INEC, in its wisdom, obeyed the court order and rightly refused to monitor or supervise the charade,” the statement noted.

 

Egwu further stressed that even if a congress had taken place, it would only become valid after ratification by the NWC and approval by the National Executive Council (NEC), followed by a formal communication to INEC by the party’s National Chairman and Secretary. None of these requirements was met.

The PDP leadership assured that fresh congresses for Ebonyi and Anambra States would be scheduled soon, and members would be duly informed of the dates.

Calling on party members to remain calm and united, Egwu said:

“We don’t want the public to be deceived by APC members parading as PDP. No amount of blackmail, lies, or propaganda will derail our mission to reposition the PDP and reclaim Ebonyi State in 2027.”