By Onyeche Igwe
The Minister of Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has solidified his position in the Peoples Democratic Party leadership crisis as the National Working Committee endorsed the Rivers State congresses.
Wike’s loyalists within the PDP NWC not only secured the approval but also postponed the National Executive Committee meeting, originally set for September 26, to October 24, which could have overturned the decision.
The PDP NWC, led by acting National Chairman Umar Damagum, made this decision during a meeting at the party’s national headquarters, Wadata Plaza, in Abuja on Thursday.
The NWC meeting had been delayed for the past three weeks amid rising tension within the party, especially between former Rivers State governor Wike and the PDP Governors Forum over the status of Rivers State party congresses.
The political conflict between Wike and current Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, escalated on August 24 when PDP governors publicly backed Fubara.
PDP governors called for a review of the Rivers State Congresses and affirmed Fubara’s role as the leader of the PDP in the state.
This support for Fubara enraged Wike, who on August 31 threatened to create chaos in the governors’ states if they did not refrain from interfering in Rivers State matters.
In response, on September 3, the PDP Governors’ Forum condemned Wike’s threat as irresponsible.
A senior NWC member, speaking anonymously due to lack of authorisation, revealed that the approval of the Rivers and other state congresses was granted, and the NEC meeting had been rescheduled to October 24.
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 travelling to Saudi Arabia for pilgrimage. It has now 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 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 hold on that date. As it stands, Wike has defeated the Bauchi State Governor Bala Mohammed-led PDP Governors Forum.”
