Minister of Federal Capital Territory Nyesom Wike has emerged as the victor in the leadership crisis within the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), outmaneuvering Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara and other governors.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, the National Working Committee (NWC) of the PDP has thrown its support behind the Rivers State congresses, aligning with Wike’s stance. The NWC, under the leadership of acting National Chairman Umar Damagum, reached this decision during a meeting at the party’s national headquarters in Abuja on Thursday.
The meeting, which had been postponed for three weeks due to escalating tensions within the party, particularly between Wike and the PDP Governors Forum, focused on the status of Rivers State party congresses.
Wike’s allies within the PDP NWC not only secured approval for the Rivers State congresses but also successfully pushed for the postponement of the National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting from September 26 to October 24.
A senior NWC member, speaking anonymously, disclosed that the approval for the Rivers and other state congresses was granted, and the NEC meeting was rescheduled for October 24.
The source stated, “Wike has once again triumphed over the PDP governors as the NWC approved the Rivers and other states’ congresses. Only the NEC has the power to reverse this decision to align with the governors’ wishes.”
The PDP Governors Forum, led by Bauchi State Governor Bala Mohammed, had publicly supported Governor Fubara, calling for a review of the Rivers State Congresses and the affirmation of Fubara as the PDP leader in the state.
Wike, displeased with the support for Fubara, had warned of causing unrest in the governors’ states if they continued to meddle in Rivers State affairs.
The NEC meeting, initially scheduled for August to address pressing issues, including Damagum’s replacement, was first rescheduled to September 26 due to members’ travel to Saudi Arabia for pilgrimage. It has now been postponed to October 24, with uncertainty surrounding its actual occurrence on that date.
