Wike crushes opposition, seizes control of PDP in Rivers State
The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has emerged victorious in the ongoing power struggle within the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), as the National Working Committee (NWC) endorsed the Rivers State party congresses.
This move solidifies Wike’s hold over the party’s affairs in Rivers State, despite resistance from the PDP Governors Forum.
The NWC, led by Acting National Chairman Umar Damagum, approved the congress results during a meeting held at the party’s national headquarters, Wadata Plaza, Abuja, on Thursday.
This decision followed weeks of internal tensions, particularly between Wike and the Governors Forum, led by Bauchi State Governor Bala Mohammed.
One of the key outcomes of the meeting was the postponement of the National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting from September 26 to October 24.
Originally, the NEC meeting was intended to address several critical issues, including a potential review of the Rivers State congresses, but this postponement gives Wike’s camp a strategic advantage.
Tensions between Wike and Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, escalated after PDP governors declared their support for Fubara’s leadership in the state, demanding a review of the congresses.
This sparked Wike’s ire, leading to a fiery statement on August 31, where he threatened to disrupt the governors’ states if they did not stop meddling in Rivers State’s political affairs.
The situation reached a boiling point on September 3, when the PDP Governors Forum publicly condemned Wike’s threats, labelling them as irresponsible.
Despite this, Wike’s supporters in the NWC successfully pushed through the endorsement of the Rivers congresses, effectively sidelining the governors’ attempts to alter the party’s leadership in the state.
An unnamed senior NWC official confirmed the endorsement, adding that the NEC meeting’s rescheduling was influenced by ongoing travel commitments, as several members were on pilgrimage to Saudi Arabia.
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According to the source, Wike’s loyalists managed to push through the approval, leaving the governors with limited options for recourse.
“They have achieved their aim. Wike has once again outmanoeuvred the PDP governors as the NWC approved the Rivers congresses.
A few states, including Kogi, were stepped down due to anomalies, but Rivers was not affected,” the source revealed. “Only the NEC can reverse this decision, but with the meeting postponed to October 24, Wike has the upper hand for now.”
This development marks a significant victory for Wike, whose influence within the PDP continues to grow, despite opposition from a faction of the party’s leadership.
The question now is whether the NEC will attempt to revisit the issue or if Wike will continue to strengthen his grip on the party in Rivers and beyond.
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