Tensions are rising within the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) as the party’s National Working Committee (NWC) is set to meet on Wednesday. A potential clash is expected between PDP governors and the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, over control of the party’s structure in Rivers State.
The conflict has created divisions within the Rivers State government, where both Wike and Governor Siminalayi Fubara, members of the PDP, are at odds. This feud has also split the state House of Assembly into two factions: one led by Martin Amaewhule supporting Wike, and the other by Victor Oko-Jumbo backing Fubara.
Despite mediation attempts by President Bola Tinubu and other leaders, the conflict has escalated into legal battles in courts in Port Harcourt and Abuja.
Recently, the NWC, led by Amb Umar Damagum, conducted a controversial congress in Rivers State, which handed control of the party’s structure to Wike, despite a court order stopping the congress.
Former Federal Commissioner for Information, Chief Edwin Clark, has accused Wike of using his relationship with President Tinubu to pressure Governor Fubara and the PDP.
The PDP governors have expressed their support for Fubara, demanding that the NWC recognize him as the rightful leader of the party in Rivers State.
Meanwhile, Wike has warned that he will take decisive action in states controlled by PDP governors, stating, “Let me assure all of you, not while we live will anybody take away the structure of the PDP from us. But let me tell people, I hear some governors who say they will take over the structure and give it back to somebody.
“I pity those governors because I will put fire in their states. When God has given you peace, you say you don’t want peace – anything you see you take.”
The PDP Governors Forum is expected to meet soon to address Wike’s threats, with Director General Emmanuel Agbo stating, “Wike addressed the governors specifically. The governors will meet and they will take a position. The Secretariat is to convey their (Governors) positions. Until that is done, I don’t have any take on it,” he said.
The NWC is also scheduled to discuss the recent congresses and ongoing litigation involving defected members of the Rivers State House of Assembly.
Internal divisions within the NWC have also surfaced, with some members supporting the decision to conduct the Rivers congress in favor of Wike, while others argue that correct procedures should have been followed.
Calls for a vote of no confidence in Acting National Chairman Damagum have been voiced by party members who accuse him of violating party norms and the constitution.
