The National Working Committee (NWC) of the PDP has handed control of Rivers State to former Governor Nyesom Wike, marking a significant political shift and a loss of influence for PDP governors in the region.
The National Working Committee has confirmed Minister Nyesom Wike’s firm leadership stance in the ongoing Peoples Democratic Party crisis by approving the Rivers State congresses.
Not only did Wike’s supporters in the PDP NWC successfully obtain approval, but they also postponed the National Executive Committee meeting from its original date of September 26 to October 24, thereby averting any potential overturning of their decision.
On Thursday, at the national headquarters of the party located in Wadata Plaza, Abuja, the decision was made by PDP NWC under the guidance of acting National Chairman Umar Damagum.
Amid growing tensions between former governor of Rivers State, Wike and the PDP Governors Forum over the status of Rivers State party congresses, the NWC meeting was postponed for three weeks.
On August 24, the political dispute between Wike and Rivers State’s current governor Siminalayi Fubara intensified as PDP governors openly supported Fubara.
The governors of PDP urged a reevaluation of the Rivers State Congresses and upheld Fubara’s position as the head honcho of PDP in that region.
READ ALSO: LP in crisis: NWC opposes Otti’s leadership dissolution move
Wike was infuriated by the backing given to Fubara, and on August 31st issued a warning that he would cause disorder in other governors’ states unless they ceased meddling with affairs pertaining to Rivers State.
On September 3, the PDP Governors’ Forum criticized Wike’s threat as being irresponsible in their reaction.
An anonymous senior NWC member revealed that approval has been granted for the Rivers and other state congresses. Additionally, it was announced that the NEC meeting will now take place on October 24th. The source spoke under anonymity due to a lack of authorization to disclose this information publicly.
The originally scheduled NEC meeting in August, aimed at resolving crucial matters such as the replacement of Damagum, got postponed to September 26 due to some members embarking on a pilgrimage journey. However, the meeting has been rescheduled once again and is now set for October 24.
According to the source, Wike has once again emerged victorious over the PDP governors as their aim was accomplished with NWC’s approval of congresses in Rivers and other states. Despite opposition from a few members of NWC, they were unable to prevent them from proceeding with it. However, only NEC holds power to modify it accordingly for meeting governor’s requirements.
The NWC sanctioned the Rivers State Congresses alongside those of several other states, while a few were held back where problems arose. For instance, in Kogi state, both Chairman and Deputy failed to get approval due to irregularities detected.
The reversal of the NWC’s ruling regarding Rivers and other states can only be carried out by NEC. Nevertheless, the originally scheduled September 26th meeting for NEC has been delayed until October 24th, but it may not occur on that day. At present, Wike has emerged as victorious over Bauchi State Governor Bala Mohammed in leading PDP Governors Forum.
