A looming showdown is expected between the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Governors Forum and Minister of Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, as the party’s National Working Committee (NWC) meets on Wednesday.
The meeting is expected to address the ongoing political conflict between Wike and Governor Siminalayi Fubara of Rivers State, both PDP members, which has caused a split in the state House of Assembly.
Despite mediation efforts by President Bola Tinubu and other prominent figures, the conflict persists, with factions engaging in legal disputes in Port Harcourt and Abuja courts.
The PDP governors have expressed support for Fubara, urging the NWC to grant him his “rightful” position as the leader of the party in the state.
Wike has threatened to take decisive action in PDP-controlled states, saying, “Let me assure all of you, not while we live will anybody take away the structure of the PDP from us… I pity those governors because I will put fire in their states.”
The NWC meeting is expected to review and discuss the PDP’s recently held ward and state congresses, as well as the governors’ position on Rivers State.
A senior NWC member said, “We anticipate that the PDP Governors will contact the NWC to convey their stance on Rivers State and their preferred approach. If they do, this will be addressed at the NWC meeting.”
The meeting may also discuss the ongoing litigation involving defected members of the Rivers State House of Assembly.
Some NEC members have called for a vote of no confidence in the acting national chairman, Amb Umar Damagum, over his handling of the Rivers crisis.
The PDP Deputy National Youth Leader, Timothy Osadolor, said, “There should be no pretence or delay among Rivers State party stakeholders and the NWC in implementing the PDP governors’ position.”
The party’s National Deputy Legal Adviser, Okechukwu Osuoha, urged the NWC to treat Fubara like other governors regarding party structure.
The PDP Deputy National Publicity Secretary, Ibrahim Abdullahi, suggested that Wike had been called to appear before the party’s disciplinary committee due to his involvement in anti-party activities during the 2023 elections.
