The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has dissolved the Solomon Agwanana-led State Working Committee (SWC) in Bayelsa State following a series of internal reviews and assessments. The decision was announced by the South South Zonal Working Committee (ZWC) after its meeting at the party’s zonal secretariat in Port Harcourt, Rivers State. Zonal Publicity Secretary Prince Etim Isong confirmed the development in a statement issued on Tuesday, April 22.
According to the statement, the ZWC also announced the dissolution of the caretaker committee in Edo State and the immediate appointment of new caretaker committees in both Bayelsa and Edo. The party cited acts of gross misconduct, poor performance, and mismanagement of internal party crises as key reasons for the move, noting that the actions of the dissolved executives were in breach of the PDP constitution.
George Turnah, the zonal secretary and a known ally of Minister of the Federal Capital Territory Nyesom Wike, has been appointed to serve as caretaker chairman in Bayelsa for an initial period of three months. Turnah also leads the New Associates, a political group in Bayelsa that recently pledged support for Wike. His appointment signals a shift in the party’s leadership dynamics in the state.
Other members of the Bayelsa caretaker committee include Tony Gabriel as deputy chairman, Ebilade Ekerefe as secretary, Didi Ebiekake Werilaghebofa as vice chairman for Central, Andy Majors for East, Evelyn Bolouebi Odi for West, and Biobelemoye Ogoniwari as treasurer. The reconstitution aims to stabilize the party and restore confidence among its members ahead of future elections.
Isong emphasized that the restructuring follows constitutional provisions outlined in the PDP’s 2017 amended charter. He expressed optimism that the changes would strengthen the party’s structure and improve leadership efficiency in both Bayelsa and Edo States.
The changes come amidst an ongoing power struggle between Wike and Bayelsa’s state governor, which has caused tension within the party in the state. Wike, who has been at loggerheads with the governor, has seen his faction gain support, including through the appointment of Turnah as caretaker chairman.
Meanwhile, the Turnah-led New Associates group had earlier scheduled a rally in Yenagoa for April 12 to show support for Wike and to thank President Bola Tinubu for appointing Bayelsa indigenes into federal positions. However, the state government opposed the event, and a court order was issued restraining the rally from taking place. The group has since rescheduled the rally for April 26, 2025.
