Minister of Federal Capital Territory Nyesom Wike has gained the upper hand in the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) leadership crisis, outmanoeuvring Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara and other governors.
It was learnt that the National Working Committee (NWC) of the PDP has thrown its weight behind the Rivers State congresses, aligning with Wike’s position
The 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 meeting had been delayed for three weeks amid rising tension within the party, particularly between Wike and the PDP Governors Forum over the status of Rivers State party congresses.
Wike’s loyalists within the PDP NWC secured not only the approval of the Rivers State congresses but also the postponement of the National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting, originally set for September 26, to October 24.
A senior NWC member, who spoke anonymously, revealed that the approval of the Rivers and other state congresses was granted, and the NEC meeting was rescheduled to October 24.
The source said, “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.”
The PDP Governors Forum, led by Bauchi State Governor Bala Mohammed, had publicly backed current Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara, calling for a review of the Rivers State Congresses and affirmation of Fubara as the leader of the PDP in the state.
The support for Fubara had enraged Wike, who threatened to create chaos in the governors’ states if they did not refrain from interfering in Rivers State matters.
The NEC meeting, originally set for August to address burning issues, including Damagum’s replacement, was first moved to September 26 due to some members’ travel to Saudi Arabia for pilgrimage. It has now been rescheduled to October 24, which may not hold on that date.