Police Take Over Rivers PDP Secretariat Amid Leadership Change

Police operatives have taken control of the Rivers State secretariat of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) following a leadership shakeup within the party. The development comes after a State High Court in Port Harcourt issued an interlocutory injunction restraining the party’s chairman, Aaron Chukwuemeka, and other executive members from acting in their official capacities.

In response to the court order, PDP members loyal to Governor Siminialayi Fubara convened an emergency congress on Wednesday, appointing a caretaker committee to steer the party. Hon. Nname Robinson Ewor, the Chairman of the Governing Council of Captain Elechi Amadi Polytechnic and the Rivers West Senatorial Vice Chairman of the PDP, emerged as the acting chairman. He will lead the party alongside other newly appointed executives until formal congresses are conducted.

Party stakeholders have tasked the new leadership with stabilizing the PDP, which has been embroiled in internal conflicts and power struggles. Following their inauguration, the new executives declared their intention to assume control of the party’s state office.

By Thursday afternoon, however, police operatives were deployed to the PDP secretariat on the Aba-Port Harcourt Expressway, reportedly to prevent a potential clash. Officers in over four police vans secured the premises, restricting access to the building.

As of press time, the new PDP leadership has opted to engage with party members at an alternative location while awaiting full access to the state office.