According to Punch, the National Working Committee (NWC) of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) supported the Rivers State congresses, strengthening the position of Minister of the Federal Capital Territory Nyesom Wike and contributing to the party’s leadership problem.CONTINUE FULL READING>>>>>
Wike’s loyalists in the NWC succeeded in securing this approval, while also managing to postpone the National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting initially set for September 26 to October 24.
This decision was made during an NWC meeting held at the PDP’s national headquarters in Abuja, led by acting National Chairman Umar Damagum.
The meeting had been delayed for three weeks amid growing tensions within the party, especially between Wike, the former Rivers State governor, and the PDP Governors Forum over the handling of the Rivers State party congresses.
The conflict between Wike and the current Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, reached new heights on August 24 when PDP governors publicly supported Fubara, calling for a review of the Rivers State congresses and affirming Fubara’s leadership of the PDP in the state.
This move infuriated Wike, who subsequently threatened, on August 31, to cause unrest in the governors’ states if they continued to interfere in Rivers State affairs.
In response to Wike’s threats, the PDP Governors’ Forum issued a strong condemnation on September 3, describing his remarks as irresponsible.
A senior member of the NWC, who spoke anonymously due to the sensitive nature of the issue, confirmed that the NWC had not only approved the Rivers State congresses but also those of several other states.
The NEC meeting, which was initially scheduled for August to address important issues, including the replacement of the acting National Chairman, was first delayed to September 26 due to some members being away for pilgrimage, and now further postponed to October 24.
According to the insider, the delay in the NEC meeting worked in Wike’s favor, as it reduced the chances of the governors overturning the NWC’s decisions.
The source stated, “They have achieved their aim. Wike has again defeated the PDP governors as the NWC approved the Rivers and other states’ congresses. There was nothing a few NWC members who were against it could do other than allow them to have their way. As it stands, only the NEC can overturn it to suit the governors’ demands.
“The Rivers State Congresses and those of other states were approved by the NWC. A few states where issues were identified were stepped down. For example, in Kogi, the Chairman and Deputy were not approved due to anomalies.”
However, the approval of the Rivers congresses remained intact, ensuring Wike’s control over the party’s structure in his state.
Wike appears to have successfully outmaneuvered the PDP Governors Forum, led by Bauchi State Governor Bala Mohammed, in securing the NWC’s endorsement.
“Only the NEC can overturn the NWC’s decision on Rivers and other states. However, the NEC meeting, originally slated for September 26, has been postponed to October 24, which may not hold on that date. As it stands, Wike has defeated the Bauchi State Governor Bala Mohammed-led PDP Governors Forum,” he added.CONTINUE FULL READING>>>>>
