The acting National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Umar Damagum, has decided to postpone the party’s National Working Committee (NWC) meeting until next week. This decision comes in response to escalating tensions between former Rivers State Governor Nyesom Wike and the PDP Governors Forum concerning the status of Rivers State party congresses.
The friction between Wike and the current Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, has intensified. The PDP governors have backed Fubara, asserting that he should be recognized as the leader of the party in Rivers State. This stance has provoked Wike, who has threatened to disrupt the peace in other states if the governors do not refrain from interfering in Rivers State matters.
On Tuesday, the PDP Governors’ Forum criticized Wike’s threats as irresponsible. They emphasized that their position is firm and reminded Wike that, during his tenure as governor, he enjoyed similar party leadership privileges.
The governors are calling for the annulment of the ward and local government congresses held in Rivers State, which they argue unfairly allocated the party’s structure to Wike. They demand that new congresses be conducted to resolve the dispute.
Originally scheduled for Wednesday, the NWC meeting was intended to address these ongoing disagreements. However, to avoid potential confrontations and further exacerbate the existing tensions, Damagum decided to delay the meeting until next week.
Despite a court injunction halting the PDP congresses in Rivers State, the Damagum-led NWC proceeded with the congress, resulting in Wike gaining control of the party structure in the state. On August 24, the PDP Governors’ Forum publicly supported Fubara and urged the NWC to acknowledge him as the party leader in Rivers State.
In response, Wike threatened to incite unrest in PDP state chapters if they supported Fubara. The Governors’ Forum condemned Wike’s threats and reaffirmed their support for Fubara.
The postponed NWC meeting will now serve as a critical platform to address these disputes and seek a resolution.
