The Minister of Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has strengthened his position in the ongoing leadership crisis within the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) as the National Working Committee (NWC) has officially endorsed the Rivers State congresses.
Wike’s allies within the PDP NWC not only gained this crucial approval but also successfully postponed the National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting, which was originally scheduled for September 26, to October 24. This delay could potentially prevent any reversal of the congress decisions.
The NWC, under the leadership of acting National Chairman Umar Damagum, made this determination during a meeting held at the party’s national headquarters, Wadata Plaza, in Abuja on Thursday.
This NWC meeting had been postponed for three weeks amid escalating tensions within the party, particularly concerning the conflict between former Rivers State governor Wike and the PDP Governors Forum regarding the legitimacy of the Rivers State party congresses.
The political tension between Nyesom Wike and the current Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, intensified on August 24 when PDP governors publicly expressed their support for Fubara.
These governors demanded a reassessment of the Rivers State congresses and affirmed Fubara’s position as the leader of the PDP in the state.
This backing for Fubara infuriated Wike, who, on August 31, issued a warning that he would incite unrest in the states of the governors if they continued to meddle in the affairs of Rivers State.
In reaction to Wike’s threat, the PDP Governors’ Forum denounced his remarks as irresponsible on September 3.
A senior member of the National Working Committee (NWC), who wished to remain anonymous due to a lack of authorization, disclosed that the endorsement of the Rivers and other state congresses had been finalized, and the National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting had been postponed to October 24.
Originally scheduled for August to tackle pressing issues, including the potential replacement of Damagum, the NEC meeting was first rescheduled to September 26 due to some members traveling to Saudi Arabia for pilgrimage. It has now been moved again to October 24.
The source remarked, “They have accomplished their objective. Wike has once again outmaneuvered the PDP governors, as the NWC has endorsed the Rivers and congresses of other states. Those few NWC members who opposed it were powerless to stop the majority. Currently, only the NEC has the authority to reverse this decision to align with the governors’ requests.
The NWC has approved the Rivers State congresses along with those of other states. However, for a few states where issues were flagged, the congresses were put on hold. For instance, in Kogi, both the Chairman and Deputy were not approved due to irregularities.
“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 hold on that date. As it stands, Wike has defeated the Bauchi State Governor Bala Mohammed-led PDP Governors Forum.”
