The internal crisis within the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has escalated, with members of the National Working Committee (NWC) openly divided in their allegiances to Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara and Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister Nyesom Wike.
The rift between the two leaders, stemming from a fallout months ago, has fueled an intense battle for control of the party in Rivers State.
On Friday, the divide became evident during a press conference at the PDP national headquarters in Abuja. The party’s Deputy National Publicity Secretary, Ibrahim Abdullahi, publicly countered a statement made by the PDP National Publicity Secretary, Debo Ologunagba, regarding the party’s stance on the Rivers State executive.
Ologunagba had issued a statement recognizing the Ewor-led executive in Rivers State as the authentic leadership and urged them to align with Governor Fubara. However, Abdullahi, speaking on behalf of Acting National Chairman Ambassador Umar Damagun, disowned Ologunagba’s statement.
“For the avoidance of doubt, the NWC has neither received nor sat to take any decision on the said judgment affirming the Ewor-led executive. The NWC hereby distances itself from the calculated falsehood aimed at achieving a predetermined objective,” Abdullahi stated.
He further claimed that the judgment in question had not been served on the party, making any decision regarding it premature.
The battle for control of the PDP in Rivers State reflects a larger struggle within the party, as Governor Fubara and Minister Wike compete for influence. The fallout between the two has caused ripples across the party, with key figures aligning themselves with either leader.
While Ologunagba’s statement appeared to back Fubara, Abdullahi’s remarks suggest a faction within the NWC remains wary of openly endorsing any side.
Beyond the Rivers crisis, the PDP is also dealing with uncertainty over its national secretary position. Abdullahi reaffirmed that Senator Samuel Anyanwu remains the substantive national secretary, despite ongoing legal disputes.
“Until the appeal before the Supreme Court is determined, Senator Anyanwu remains the national secretary of the PDP. That is the position of the law,” Abdullahi said.
The public disagreements among NWC members highlight the extent of the PDP’s internal discord. The divisions threaten to undermine the party’s stability as it navigates challenges ahead of future elections.
For now, the PDP family and political observers, as noticed by Worldclass247News, remain on edge, watching to see whether the party’s leadership can resolve its internal battles or if the crisis will further erode its cohesion.