The National Working Committee (NWC) of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has endorsed the Rivers State congresses, strengthening Minister of Federal Capital Territory Nyesom Wike’s position in the party’s leadership crisis. The NWC, led by acting National Chairman Umar Damagum, made this decision during a meeting on Thursday at the party’s national headquarters, Wadata Plaza, in Abuja.
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The endorsement of the Rivers State congresses is a significant development in the ongoing leadership crisis within the PDP, particularly between Wike and the PDP Governors Forum, led by Bauchi State Governor Bala Mohammed. The crisis escalated on August 24 when PDP governors publicly backed current Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara, prompting Wike to threaten chaos in the governors’ states if they interfered in Rivers State matters.
Wike had said on August 31, “If you (PDP governors) don’t refrain from interfering in Rivers State matters, I will create chaos in your states.” In response, the PDP Governors’ Forum condemned Wike’s threat as irresponsible on September 3.
A senior NWC member, speaking anonymously due to lack of authorization, revealed that the approval of the Rivers and other state congresses was granted, and the NEC meeting had been rescheduled to October 24. The source stated, “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.
“As it stands, only the NEC can overturn it to suit the governors’ demands.”
The NWC meeting had been delayed for three weeks amid rising tension within the party. The NEC meeting, originally set for August to address burning issues, including Damagum’s replacement, was first moved to September 26 because some members were traveling to Saudi Arabia for pilgrimage. It has now been rescheduled to October 24.
The source added, “The Rivers State Congresses and those of other states were approved by the NWC. A few states where issues were identified were stepped down. For example, in Kogi, the Chairman and Deputy were not approved due to anomalies. Only the NEC can overturn the NWC’s decision on Rivers and other states. However, the NEC meeting, originally slated for September 26, has been postponed to October 24, which may not be held on that date. As it stands, Wike has defeated the Bauchi State Governor Bala Mohammed-led PDP Governors Forum.”
