PDP crisis deepens as feud between governor Fubara, Nyesom Wike escalates

The internal crisis within the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has intensified, with the National Working Committee (NWC) now divided over the ongoing rift between Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara and the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike.

The dispute, rooted in a power struggle for control of the party, has lingered for months, causing a deepening rift within the opposition party’s leadership.

On Friday, tensions flared at the PDP’s national headquarters in Abuja when Deputy National Publicity Secretary Ibrahim Abdullahi openly refuted a statement made by the party’s National Publicity Secretary, Debo Ologunagba. Abdullahi asserted that Ologunagba lacked the authority to address the Rivers State crisis on behalf of the party.

The conflicting statements highlight the growing disarray within the NWC, as members appear divided on how to handle the feud between Governor Fubara and Wike, a key figure in the PDP and former governor of Rivers State.

The rift reportedly stems from a tussle for influence within the party, with both Fubara and Wike vying to assert dominance over political structures in Rivers State.

The fallout has reverberated at the national level, further fracturing the party’s unity and raising concerns about its preparedness for upcoming political challenges.

Abdullahi said he was instructed by the acting National Chairman, Ambassador Umar Damagun, to discredit Ologunagba’s statement, which affirmed the legitimacy of the Ewo-led executive in Rivers State. According to Abdullahi,

“For the avoidance of doubt, not even the said judgement has been served on the party. The NWC has neither received nor sat to take any decision on the said judgement.”

He further accused Ologunagba of spreading “calculated falsehood aimed at achieving a predetermined objective,” urging party members and the public to disregard the statement.

However, Ologunagba had earlier issued a statement recognizing the Ewo-led executive and calling on them to cooperate with Governor Fubara. This move appears to have intensified tensions within the party.

Regarding the status of the national secretaryship, Abdullahi affirmed that Senator Samuel Anyanwu remains the substantive national secretary until the Supreme Court resolves the pending appeal.

“That is the position of the law. Where there is an appeal, it behooves the appellant to wait until the determination of the appeal,” he stated.

When questioned about his authority to address journalists, Abdullahi explained,

“I was also elected in the same convention. By virtue of our duties, I enjoy the same powers to speak for this party.”

He accused Ologunagba of acting unilaterally and allowing personal sentiments to influence his official duties.

“The NWC has not sat since September last year,” Abdullahi added. “So I wonder where he will now say the NWC sat and adopted and accepted the verdict recognizing the Ewor-led state EXCO in Rivers State.”

 

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