
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Bayelsa State has categorically dismissed allegations of a factional split within its ranks. In an interview on Arise TV , Ebiye Ogoli , the PDP spokesman, refuted claims of division and emphasized that the party remains united under the leadership of Governor Douye Diri .
Ogoli clarified that the group led by George Turnah , recently appointed as a caretaker committee head by the South-South zonal leadership under Chief Dan Orbih , does not represent a rival faction. Instead, he described them as supporters of former Rivers State Governor Nyesom Wike , who are not formally recognized as a separate entity within the PDP.
Clarifying the Structure of Bayelsa PDP
Ogoli stressed that the Bayelsa PDP operates as a single, cohesive unit with no internal divisions. He outlined the party’s organizational structure to dispel any misconceptions about factionalism:
- State Executive Committee (SEC): Comprises 14 core members.
- State Working Committee (SWC): Includes 25 assistant working committee members.
- Local Government Leadership: Features eight local government chairmen and 17 members spread across eight local government areas.
- Ward-Level Representation: Covers 105 wards, each consisting of 17 members, totaling approximately 2,000 active members statewide.
“All of these people, about 2,000 in total, are safe and well, working together as a group,” Ogoli said.
Rejection of Factional Labels
The PDP spokesman rejected the notion that there is a splinter group or faction within the party, particularly one allegedly aligned with Nyesom Wike.
“Wike does not have any faction of the PDP in Bayelsa state. Perhaps, he may have supporters, which is common with political leaders. But when it comes to PDP, our party has, from the state to the ward level, every one of our members, one single political leader—our governor—that we all follow and take directives from,” Ogoli explained.
He added, “To the best of my knowledge, I don’t know where the splinter group is coming from. PDP has just one indivisible family, just one.”
South-South Zonal Leadership’s Actions
The controversy arose after the South-South zonal leadership, led by Chief Dan Orbih , dissolved the Solomon Agwanana-led State Working Committee (SWC) and appointed a caretaker committee headed by George Turnah . However, Ogoli insisted that this move does not signify a factional divide but rather reflects internal dynamics that do not undermine the party’s unity.
Governor Douye Diri’s Leadership Role
Ogoli reaffirmed that Governor Douye Diri remains the undisputed leader of the Bayelsa PDP, with all members adhering to his directives. The party’s hierarchy, from state executives to ward-level representatives, operates under a unified command structure, ensuring cohesion and alignment with the governor’s vision.
“We don’t have any other faction. Our party, from the state to the ward level, has one single political leader—our governor—that we all follow and take directives from,” he reiterated.
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