Nyesom Wike, Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, has strengthened his position in the Peoples Democratic Party leadership crisis after the National Working Committee approved the Rivers State congresses.
Wike’s supporters in the PDP NWC not only obtained permission but also pushed the National Executive Committee meeting, originally scheduled for September 26, to October 24, which might have overturned the decision.
The PDP NWC, chaired by acting National Chairman Umar Damagum, reached this conclusion during a meeting on Thursday at the party’s national headquarters, Wadata Plaza, in Abuja.
The NWC meeting has been delayed for the last three weeks amid mounting friction inside the party, particularly between former Rivers State governor Wike and the PDP Governors Forum over the status of the Rivers State party congresses.
The political spat between Wike and current Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara erupted on August 24, when PDP governors publicly supported Fubara.
PDP governors asked for a review of the Rivers State Congresses and reaffirmed Fubara’s leadership of the PDP in the state.
This backing for Fubara infuriated Wike, who threatened on August 31 to cause turmoil in the governors’ states if they did not desist from participating in Rivers State affairs.
On September 3, the PDP Governors’ Forum criticised Wike’s statement as irresponsible.
A senior NWC member, speaking anonymously due to lack of authority, said that consent from the Rivers and other state congresses was granted, and the NEC meeting was rescheduled for October 24.
The NEC meeting, initially scheduled for August to handle burning concerns, including Damagum’s replacement, was rescheduled for September 26 due to several members’ visits to Saudi Arabia for pilgrimage. It has now been postponed for October 24.
The source stated, “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.”
