Nigeria: Governors Stand Firm Against Wike’s Control Of Rivers State

By Onoja Baba, Abuja, Nigeria

The internal crisis within Nigeria’s main opposition political party, the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) has intensified as the party’s governors draw a battle line against the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, over his grip on the Rivers State chapter.

Tensions flared after Wike, the former governor of the state, wielded his influence to maintain control of the party structure during last weekend’s congress, sidelining current Governor Siminalayi Fubara and his allies.

On September 2, 2024, Wike openly challenged the PDP Governors Forum (PDPGF), led by Governor Bala Mohammed, threatening to ignite political turmoil in PDP-controlled states if the governors continued to support Fubara.

This followed Wike’s maneuvering to populate the committee that conducted the Rivers State Congress with his loyalists, a move that led to the election of Chief Chukwuemeka Aaron as the state party chairman and excluded Fubara’s supporters.

The congress proceeded despite an interim injunction from the Rivers State High Court barring it, raising questions about its legitimacy.

The governors, angered by Wike’s remarks, swiftly condemned his threats.

In a statement issued on Monday, 2024, the Director-General of the PDPGF, Dr. Emmanuel Agbo, described Wike’s comments as “unbridled, irresponsible, and unacceptable.”

He urged security agents to take note of Wike’s threats and affirmed the governors’ support for Fubara, stating that he deserved the respect due to all state governors.

The PDPGF reaffirmed their commitment to the principle of mutual respect and solidarity among its members, emphasizing their “touch one, touch all” philosophy.

As the conflict deepened, Wike and his supporters conducted the state congress on Saturday, in Port Harcourt, which was largely boycotted by Fubara and his loyalists.

Wike declared, “Not when we are alive will we allow anybody to take away the party structure from us,” underscoring his determination to retain control. In response, the governors’ forum called for the intervention of other party stakeholders to resolve the escalating crisis.

The PDP’s National Working Committee (NWC), led by Amb. Umar Damagun, has also come under fire for its role in the unfolding drama. Sources suggest that the governors may turn against the national chairman if the committee continues to support the new Rivers State executive loyal to Wike.

The party’s leadership had previously attempted to broker peace between Wike and Fubara, but efforts by the NWC, the Caucus, and the Board of Trustees (BoT) failed to produce a resolution.

Governor Fubara, who has resisted pressure to defect from the PDP, remains steadfast in his decision to stay within the party, despite what he perceives as an unfair marginalization.

In a statement after the BoT’s visit on September 1, 2024, Fubara reassured the party leadership of his continued loyalty, dismissing rumors of defect to another political platform.

As the crisis rages on, the PDP faces a critical moment in Rivers State, with local government elections scheduled for October 5, 2024.

The ongoing dispute threatens to undermine the party’s chances, with Fubara’s supporters potentially left without a platform to contest.

Political observers believe that if the conflict is not resolved swiftly, the PDP could suffer significant losses in the upcoming elections, further weakening its standing both in Rivers State and nationally.

The BoT, led by Senator Adolphus Wabara, has pledged to find a constitutional solution to the crisis, but the road ahead remains uncertain. As tensions simmer, the battle for control of the PDP in Rivers continues to pose a significant challenge to the party’s unity and prospects.