Nyesom Wike, former governor of Rivers State, has secured a major political victory. The National Working Committee (NWC) of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) approved congresses in Rivers State, from wards to the state level. This decision leaves current Governor Siminalayi Fubara without control over the PDP in Rivers State.
The approval came despite ongoing litigation, as a court in Rivers State had restrained the PDP from holding the congresses. Additionally, the NWC has tentatively moved the next National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting from September 26 to October 26.
The meeting, presided over by acting national chairman, Amb. Iliya Damagum, reached critical decisions regarding the state’s political landscape. Previously, PDP governors had directed the NWC to ensure that Rivers’ congresses were controlled by Governor Fubara. However, Wike issued a strong warning to any PDP governor who intervened in Rivers’ politics, vowing to disrupt their governance.
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In response, the PDP Governors Forum condemned Wike’s remarks, calling them reckless and unacceptable. Despite the forum’s insistence on restoring control to Fubara, the NWC approved the congresses in favor of Wike’s loyal faction.
There was some internal opposition during the NWC meeting. National Legal Adviser, Adeyemi Ajibade, argued it was unfair to recognize only Rivers congresses given pending legal challenges. However, the NWC overruled his concerns, moving forward with their approval.
The NWC also deliberated on congresses in other states, including Abia and Ebonyi. They ruled that these congresses must conclude before the October NEC meeting. The shift in the NEC meeting suggests that all congress decisions, including Rivers’, will be ratified next month. This may also pave the way for a new PDP national chairman to emerge in October.
Fubara, now sidelined, may accelerate plans to switch to the Alliance Peoples Party (APP). His next steps remain closely watched in the unfolding political drama.