Nyesom Wike, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, has tightened his grip on the leadership of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Rivers State. The National Working Committee (NWC) has endorsed the congresses in the state, a significant win for Wike amidst the ongoing leadership struggles within the party.
The NWC, which includes Wike’s loyalists, not only approved the Rivers State congresses but also delayed the National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting that was scheduled for September 26. This meeting could have reversed the NWC’s decision, but now it will take place on October 24.
The acting National Chairman, Umar Damagum, led the meeting at the PDP’s headquarters in Abuja. The NWC had been unable to meet for the past three weeks due to rising tensions between Wike, the former Rivers State governor, and the PDP Governors Forum. The main issue has been over the control of Rivers State’s party structure.
The conflict between Wike and the current governor of Rivers State, Siminalayi Fubara, came to a head on August 24 when PDP governors publicly sided with Fubara. They called for a review of the congresses in Rivers State and declared Fubara the leader of the party in the state.
Wike, angry over the governors’ stance, threatened to cause trouble in their states if they did not stop interfering in Rivers State matters. On August 31, he warned that if the governors continued, he would create chaos in their states. His comments were widely condemned, and on September 3, the PDP Governors Forum described his remarks as reckless and irresponsible.
According to a senior NWC member, who preferred to remain anonymous, the Rivers State congresses were approved, along with those of several other states. However, some states, like Kogi, faced issues and had certain positions left unresolved. The member added that the NEC, which has the power to overturn the NWC’s decision, could have dealt with this, but with the meeting postponed to October 24, it’s unlikely to happen soon.
This development is seen as a major win for Wike, who has successfully maintained control over the PDP in Rivers State, despite strong opposition from the governors. His influence within the NWC remains strong, and with the NEC meeting delayed, it appears he has outplayed his rivals for now.
