Crisis within the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) worsen as the party’s National Working Committee (NWC) has endorsed former Rivers State Governor and current FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, further consolidating his influence. The NWC’s decision ratified the Rivers State congresses, despite opposition from some party members and governors.
Wike’s allies within the NWC also successfully pushed for a delay in the National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting, initially scheduled for September 26, now postponed to October 24. This postponement has been interpreted as a strategic victory for Wike, allowing him to further cement his hold over party affairs in Rivers State.
“They have achieved their aim. Wike has once again outmaneuvered the PDP governors, as the NWC approved the congresses for Rivers and several other states. Those who opposed it had little choice but to concede,” a source told The Punch. “At this point, only the NEC has the power to overturn this decision in favor of the governors.”
The NWC did not approve congresses in all states, with certain states, such as Kogi, seeing its leadership selection put on hold due to identified irregularities.
Tensions between Wike and PDP governors escalated after the governors, led by Bauchi State Governor Bala Mohammed, called for a review of the Rivers State congresses. They also backed Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara as the PDP leader in the state, a move that angered Wike.
On August 31, Wike issued a stern warning, threatening to create unrest in the governors’ respective states if they continued to interfere in Rivers State politics. With the latest NWC decision, it appears Wike has emerged victorious, leaving the PDP governors with limited options moving forward.
