The PDP National Working Committee (NWC) has backed the Rivers State congresses, giving Federal Capital Territory Minister Nyesom Wike an advantage in the ongoing leadership dispute. This decision was made during a meeting of the NWC, led by acting National Chairman Umar Damagum, at the party’s headquarters in Abuja.
The NWC meeting had been delayed for three weeks due to growing tensions within the party, primarily between Wike, a former governor of Rivers State, and the PDP Governors Forum, over the leadership of the party in Rivers State.
This conflict intensified on August 24 when PDP governors publicly supported the current Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, and called for a review of the state congresses, affirming Fubara as the leader of the PDP in Rivers State.
In response to the governors’ stance, Wike expressed his displeasure, threatening on August 31 to cause trouble in the governors’ states if they continued to interfere in Rivers State matters. This threat was condemned by the PDP Governors’ Forum on September 3, labeling it as irresponsible.
The NWC’s approval of the Rivers State congresses, alongside other state congresses, marked a win for Wike and his allies within the party.
An anonymous senior NWC member confirmed that the National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting, which was originally scheduled for September 26, has been postponed to October 24. This meeting, initially planned for August, was first moved to September because some members were on a pilgrimage to Saudi Arabia.
The NEC meeting is crucial as it holds the power to potentially overturn the NWC’s decision in favor of the governors.
The source stated, “They have achieved their aim. Wike has again defeated the PDP governors as the NWC approved the Rivers and other states’ congresses. There was nothing a few NWC members who were against it could do other than allow them to have their way. As it stands, only the NEC can overturn it to suit the governors’ demands.
“The Rivers State Congresses and those of other states were approved by the NWC. A few states where issues were identified were stepped down. For example, in Kogi, the Chairman and Deputy were not approved due to anomalies.
“Only the NEC can overturn the NWC’s decision on Rivers and other states. However, the NEC meeting, originally slated for September 26, has been postponed to October 24, which may not hold on that date. As it stands, Wike has defeated the Bauchi State Governor Bala Mohammed-led PDP Governors Forum.”
