In a significant victory for Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, the National Working Committee (NWC) of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has endorsed the Rivers State congresses, effectively granting Wike control over the party’s affairs in the state. The move comes amidst a prolonged internal leadership struggle within the party.
During a meeting on Thursday at the PDP’s national headquarters, Wadata Plaza in Abuja, the NWC, led by acting National Chairman Umar Damagum, approved the Rivers congresses, cementing Wike’s influence within the party. This approval is a blow to the PDP Governors Forum, which had been backing Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara in the ongoing power tussle.
The NWC decision was coupled with the postponement of the National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting, originally scheduled for September 26, to October 24. This delay is seen as crucial, as the NEC meeting could have potentially overturned the NWC’s decision in favor of Fubara and the governors. The postponement buys Wike and his loyalists more time to solidify their position.
The PDP has been embroiled in internal tension over the control of Rivers State’s political machinery, particularly between Wike and Governor Fubara. The conflict escalated on August 24 when the PDP Governors Forum publicly endorsed Fubara as the party’s leader in Rivers State, calling for a review of the congresses and seeking to diminish Wike’s influence. In response, Wike issued a fiery warning on August 31, threatening to disrupt the political stability in states led by governors who interfered in Rivers’ affairs.
The governors’ backing of Fubara sparked a war of words, with the PDP Governors Forum condemning Wike’s threats as “irresponsible” on September 3. Despite this, Wike’s faction within the party’s NWC appears to have prevailed, securing the approval of the Rivers State congresses, along with those of several other states.
According to an anonymous senior NWC member, Wike’s allies managed to push through the decision, leaving the governors with limited options. “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,” the source said.
However, the source noted that the NEC meeting could still overturn the NWC’s decision. The meeting, originally set for August, was delayed due to members traveling for pilgrimage and has now been rescheduled to October 24, though there are doubts as to whether it will even hold on that date.
While the NWC granted approval for most of the state congresses, certain states, including Kogi, had their congresses postponed due to irregularities in the selection of party leaders. For example, the chairman and deputy positions in Kogi were not approved due to reported anomalies.
As it stands, Wike’s victory has dealt a blow to the Bala Mohammed-led PDP Governors Forum, further entrenching his control over the party’s structure in Rivers State, while the governors now face an uphill battle to challenge his influence within the party.
