Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in Enugu State, Barr. Steve Oruruo has dismissed as baseless reports of parallel congresses conducted in the state.
DAILY POST reports that another faction believed to be loyal to the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Minister, Nyesom Wike was reported to have conducted a parallel congress in the state.
However, Oruruo, while dismissing the reported exercise, said it should be discountenanced.
He spoke on Wednesday as the party in the state formally rolled out its electronic membership registration system.
Oruruo described the e-registration exercise as a deliberate shift from traditional methods of mobilisation to a more structured and measurable system of party growth.
According to him, the process involves over 260 ward representatives, alongside local government coordinators and other party officials, all tasked with ensuring that membership registration is effectively driven across every community in the state.
“This is not just about political activity, it is about building a credible and verifiable membership base. The strength of our party must be reflected in actual numbers, not assumptions,” Oruruo stated.
He emphasised that the success of the initiative will depend largely on the ability of party officials to engage directly with the grassroots, particularly in rural communities where digital literacy remains a challenge.
Oruruo called for aggressive sensitisation and hands-on support, noting that the transition to electronic registration requires intentional guidance to ensure inclusivity.
“What is required is not just coordination, but commitment. We must create accessible pathways for every willing member of our communities to be captured in this process,” he added.
While acknowledging the progress already made, the PDP chairman urged stakeholders to intensify efforts, expressing confidence that the initiative would yield significant results within a short period.
Beyond the registration exercise, the event also provided a platform to address ongoing internal concerns within the party.
On the parallel congresses, Oruruo dismissed such claims as baseless and without legal foundation, insisting that any structures formed outside recognised processes remain invalid.
He referenced a subsisting judgment of the Court of Appeal, which, according to him, affirmed the suspension of certain party actors and effectively nullified any parallel arrangements.
“You cannot build something on nothing and expect it to stand. What is being paraded as alternative structures has no legal backing and cannot endure,” he said.
Addressing concerns over potential deregistration by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Oruruo maintained that the party remains firmly within constitutional and regulatory requirements, dismissing such fears as unfounded.
He described the internal disagreements as manageable and likened them to a temporary dispute, while reiterating his commitment to resolving issues through dialogue, reconciliation, and due process.
At the same time, he affirmed that legal options remain available where necessary, including further judicial clarification at the highest level.
Reasserting his leadership position, Oruruo pointed to an existing court judgment recognising him as the legitimate State Chairman, noting that any leadership change must follow due process through a properly conducted congress.
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