April 22, (THEWILL) – The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has dissolved the Solomon Agwanana-led State Working Committee (SWC) of the party in Bayelsa State.
The decision, announced by the Zonal Working Committee (ZWC) after its meeting on Tuesday, April 22, at the Zonal Secretariat in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, also saw the replacement of the caretaker committee in Edo State with new members.
Following the dissolution, the ZWC appointed the Zonal Secretary, George Turnah, as the caretaker chairman to oversee the affairs of the party in Bayelsa for an initial period of three months.
A statement issued by the Zonal Publicity Secretary, Prince Etim Isong, shortly after the meeting, cited acts of gross misconduct and poor performance as the reasons for the dissolution of the party leaderships in Bayelsa and Edo states.
According to Isong, the appointment of caretaker committees was made in the best interest of the party to reposition it ahead of future challenges.
“The decision to set up caretaker committees for both states follows the dissolution of the State Working Committee of Bayelsa State and the caretaker committee in Edo State, on account of various acts of gross misconduct by the dissolved executives, which are clear breaches of the party’s constitution. Also considered were the poor performance and woeful outing of the party in Edo State during the last governorship election, and the poor handling of internal crises rocking the party in both states,” he said.
He explained that the decisions were taken after a careful review of the party’s activities in the two states, in line with the PDP constitution as amended in 2017, specifically Articles 10(1)(f)(g)(k), 10(4), 26(2)(a), 27(2)(a&b), 58(1)(a)(c)(i)(j), and 59(1)(f).
Isong expressed optimism that the action would strengthen the party’s foundation and ensure effective leadership in Bayelsa and Edo states.
Members of the newly constituted caretaker committee in Bayelsa State include Tony Gabriel as Deputy Chairman; former Ijaw Youth Council spokesman, Ebilade Ekerefe, as Secretary; and Didi Ebiekake Werilaghebofa as Vice Chairman (Central).
Others are Andy Majors, Vice Chairman (East); Evelyn Bolouebi Odi, Vice Chairman (West); and Biobelemoye Ogoniwari, Treasurer.
Amos Okioma is a Correspondent at THEWILL
