GOVERNORS elected under the banner of the main opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) have taken a stand against the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Mr. Nyesom Wike, amid the ongoing crisis within the Rivers State chapter of the party.
The governors are reportedly contemplating action against the National Chairman, Amb. Umar Damagun, due to his role in the Rivers State PDP, where Wike has asserted complete control over the party’s structure following last weekend’s congress, effectively sidelining the disgruntled Governor Siminalayi Fubara.
Both Wike and Fubara have committed to remaining in the PDP and continuing their struggle.
The PDP Governors Forum (PDPGF) felt it necessary to address an open challenge from Wike, the former governor of Rivers State, concerning the ongoing crisis in the party at the state level.
Wike sparked the conflict by threatening to “ignite (political) fire” in PDP states in reaction to their governors’ support for Fubara.
The dynamic between Wike and Fubara, his chosen successor, has been marked by tension over the control of the party’s structure in Rivers State. In earlier, more amicable times, Wike had advised Fubara to concentrate on local governance and refrain from using “Rivers money for Abuja politics.”
As a result of this directive, Fubara kept his distance from the PDPGF during the initial months of his governorship.”
“He neither attended their meetings nor designated a representative. However, this changed when their silent political feud erupted into the open.”
“In a clear display of power, Wike reportedly pressured Amb. Umar Damagun and the PDP National Working Committee (NWC) to ensure that the committee responsible for conducting the Rivers State Congress was filled with party members loyal to him.
Fubara voiced his objections, rejecting the committee’s composition and demanding the same rights and privileges granted to his counterparts in other states. Unlike his peers, Fubara and his supporters were excluded from the committee.”
“The party’s national leadership convened prior to its National Executive Council (NEC) meeting in June this year and decided to seek a political solution to the conflict between the minister and his protégé regarding the committee’s composition and other related issues.
Following this, the National Working Committee (NWC), along with the Caucus and Board of Trustees (BoT), met and made attempts to address the situation, but their efforts ultimately did not produce the desired outcomes.”
“Wike and his supporters held the state Congress in Port Harcourt last Saturday, which was largely boycotted by Fubara and his followers.
During the event, Wike proclaimed to all in attendance, ‘Not while we are alive will we allow anyone to take away the party structure from us.’
To emphasize his point, Wike threatened to destabilize PDP states if governors tried to relinquish the structure to Fubara. This warning came in reaction to a solidarity message from the PDP Board of Trustees and the PDP Governors Forum (PDPGF) led by Governor Bala Mohammed.”
“Furious over Wike’s remarks, the governors reacted by urging security agencies to take note of his threats, while pledging their support for Fubara, who they asserted deserved the respect that is typically afforded to governors.”
“In a statement issued by the Director General of the PDP Governors Forum, Dr. Emmanuel Agbo, the governors remarked: ‘Wike’s threats to incite unrest in PDP-controlled states are excessive, irresponsible, and unequivocally unacceptable, as they undermine efforts to foster peace, cohesion, collaboration, and mutual respect among party leaders and members.
‘It is particularly unfortunate that such comments come from someone who was once a member of this esteemed forum during his tenure as governor.’
While affirming their support for Fubara, the governors expressed their openness to the involvement of other stakeholders in resolving the crisis in Rivers State.
The Forum emphasized its commitment to a ‘touch one, touch all’ philosophy, stating that they stand by and support each other, regardless of the circumstances—a tradition Wike greatly benefited from during his own challenges as governor. They reiterated their position on the PDP’s affairs in Rivers State, as unanimously resolved in their 2024 meetings held in Enugu and Taraba states.
Will the outcome of the Rivers Congress be upheld? Will a political solution be found that accommodates Fubara? Sources indicate that the Damagun-led NWC’s willingness to accept the new Rivers executive committee may provoke the governors’ ire against the party chairman.”
Faced with the choice of leaving the PDP or staying, Governor Fubara has pledged to remain in the party. Despite the recent state congress seemingly settling the issue of control within the PDP in Rivers State, the ongoing conflict between Fubara and Wike dates back to early in Fubara’s administration, when tensions arose over Wike’s claims to the PDP’s political structure. This dispute escalated, leading to 27 lawmakers loyal to Wike defecting to the APC and nine Commissioners resigning in solidarity with Wike, some of whom have since received federal appointments. The recent congress resulted in Chief Chukwuemeka Aaron being elected as chairman, representing Wike’s loyalists.
The members of the Board of Trustees (BoT) left Port Harcourt feeling confident that Rivers State remains a part of the PDP, especially after Governor Fubara reaffirmed his commitment to the party.
Fubara stated, “What matters today is that we are still part of the party, and the party leaders have come to see us. This visit should put to rest any rumors and propaganda out there, showing that we are and will continue to be members of the Peoples Democratic Party.”
