Rift between Wike, Fubara Divides PDP as 60 Reps Call for Chairman’s Resignation

Sixty members of the House of Representatives elected under the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) banner have demanded the resignation of the party’s acting National Chairman, Umar Damagum. This demand comes amidst the escalating political feud between Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara and the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike.

The 60 lawmakers attributed their call for Damagum’s resignation to his alleged silence amid the ongoing political crisis between Wike and Fubara in Rivers State. The rift between the two factions has intensified, with loyalists on both sides engaging in political maneuvers to gain dominance.

The feud between Fubara and Wike’s camps erupted last October when 27 lawmakers loyal to Wike attempted to impeach Fubara, a move fiercely resisted by the governor. Despite a previous intervention by President Bola Tinubu to ease tensions, the recent resurgence of hostilities suggests a breakdown in the earlier agreements.

Last week, the 27 pro-Wike lawmakers threatened to revive the impeachment process against Fubara, prompting a backlash from the governor’s supporters. The legitimacy of these lawmakers has been questioned, as they defected to the All Progressives Congress (APC) during last year’s crisis.

In their demand for Damagum’s resignation, the 60 PDP Reps accused him of siding with Wike and collaborating with the ruling APC, despite being appointed by a party member. They further alleged Damagum’s involvement in plots to extend the tenure of certain local government chairmen in Rivers State, seen as allies of Wike.

Meanwhile, the Minority Leader of the House, Mr. Kingsley Chinda, known to be a political associate of Wike, was notably absent from Monday’s briefing, hinting at the widening scope of the conflict beyond Rivers State.

The lawmakers called for Damagum’s immediate resignation to allow for the appointment of a new PDP Chairman from the North Central zone, in accordance with the party’s constitution. They also urged the Chief Judge of the Federal High Court to be vigilant against attempts to manipulate the judicial process.

In response to these allegations, Damagum could not be reached for comment. However, the looming question of his removal or confirmation will be central to the upcoming PDP National Executive Committee meeting scheduled for April 18.

The governors within the PDP are divided over Damagum’s fate, with some advocating for his confirmation to complete the suspended National Chairman Iyorchia Ayu’s term, while others prefer a replacement from the North Central region.

The intricate power dynamics within the party reflect broader political ambitions, with key figures like Nyesom Wike and Atiku Abubakar influencing decisions ahead of the 2027 elections. As the PDP navigates these internal rifts, the outcome of the NEC meeting will shape the party’s trajectory in the coming years.