The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has expressed its dissatisfaction with Governor Siminalayi Fubara of Rivers State for his alleged refusal to take control of the party’s leadership structure in the state.
The party hinted that the governor may face disciplinary action for his recent actions, including his reported involvement in anti-party activities.
According to the PDP’s acting National Publicity Secretary, Ibrahim Abdulahi, the party had given Governor Fubara multiple opportunities to assert his influence over the state’s PDP machinery. This included an invitation to submit a nominee for the position of Rivers State chapter chairman.
However, Fubara declined the offer and instead asked Nyesom Wike, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), to make the nomination.
Abdulahi emphasized that the PDP leadership had made significant efforts to support Fubara in his role but criticized the governor for failing to rally support among his fellow PDP governors and the National Working Committee (NWC).
“The kind of opportunity given to Fubara by this party is the sort that you never imagine exists from any political party to any of its members, not a governor, not a president,” Abdulahi said.
The PDP spokesperson questioned Fubara’s leadership and timing, asking why the governor did not recognize the importance of controlling the party’s structure earlier. Abdulahi pointed out that Fubara’s predecessor, Wike, had successfully led the party’s opposition during the previous administration, but Fubara has struggled to do the same.
“Fubara is sitting on that same saddle now and yet, cannot be able to rally his colleagues, governors behind him. He cannot be able to hold the National Working Committee to identify with him just because his predecessor is a minister in Abuja,” Abdulahi stated, expressing disappointment.
In addition to these concerns, the PDP is considering disciplinary measures against Fubara for allegedly supporting another political party, the Action Peoples Party (APP), during recent local government elections in Rivers State. The party believes this amounts to anti-party behavior, a serious offense within their ranks.
Furthermore, Abdulahi hinted that Bala Mohammed, the Governor of Bauchi State and chairman of the PDP Governors’ Forum, may also face disciplinary action. Mohammed was seen at a swearing-in ceremony for local government officials from an opposition party, which the PDP sees as a betrayal.
Abdulahi added: “That is a clear anti-party on the part of the governor and we will wait for him with that himself. The governor that went to identify with him during the inauguration of the elected officials himself, the chairman of the governors’ forum will be accused of anti-party.
“And this is why we are always careful to, you know, apply the sledgehammer on the heads of all of those persons accused of identifying with this thing called anti-party. Because you would soon realize that you have finished all the members of the party and you are leaving nobody behind. Everybody has one action or the other that can constitute what is anti-party in the face of law.
“So in the running party…because he went there, they were inaugurated, none of them was PDP local government chairman, none, the 21 of them. But the chairman of the PDP forum went there, gave his blessing for a sitting PDP governor to inaugurate the opposition party and then they were all joyful and in festive mood. How will you now say you are serving PDP with this action alone?”
