PDP NWC Holds Emergency Meeting Over Rivers Crisis, Party Leadership Dispute

The National Working Committee (NWC) of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) is currently locked in a crucial meeting at the party’s national headquarters in Abuja. The gathering comes in the wake of escalating tensions within the party, particularly the ongoing crisis in its Rivers State chapter.

This meeting precedes the upcoming National Executive Committee (NEC) session, scheduled for later this month, where party leaders will further deliberate on the issues discussed today. Among the pressing matters is the growing rift between Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister Nyesom Wike over control of the party structure in Rivers State.

Insiders report that the NWC is not only focused on the Rivers conflict but also on recent state congresses where the tenure of State Executives expired. The conduct of these congresses and the path forward are also under review.

The conflict in Rivers State has placed the PDP Governors’ Forum and the NWC at odds. While the NWC appears to support Wike as the leader of the party in Rivers, PDP governors have thrown their weight behind Governor Fubara, advocating for a reassessment of the state congresses that favored Wike.

Tensions flared further on August 31, when Wike threatened to “put fire” in any state where governors interfered with Rivers politics. This sparked outrage, with the PDP Governors’ Forum condemning Wike’s remarks as “irresponsible and uncalled for.”

High-ranking PDP officials attending the NWC meeting include Acting National Chairman Umar Iliya Damagum, National Secretary Senator Samuel Anyanwu, National Publicity Secretary Debo Ologunagba, and other top party leaders such as National Organizing Secretary Umar Bature, National Legal Adviser Kamaldeen Ajibade, and Deputy National Chairman (South) Taofeek Arapaja.

The outcome of the NWC’s deliberations will be pivotal in shaping the direction of the party ahead of the NEC meeting.