Members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) National Working Committee (NWC) are currently convening to address the state of the party and the ongoing crisis within its Rivers State chapter,Daily Trust reports.
The meeting, held at the party’s national headquarters in Abuja, comes ahead of preparations for the National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting scheduled for later this month. Party leaders are reportedly gathering to discuss key issues that will be presented to the NEC.
One significant topic on the agenda is the escalating tension between Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister, Nyesom Wike, over control of the party’s structure in Rivers State.
The NWC meeting follows the recent congresses in several states, where the terms of the State Executives had expired. According to party insiders, the conduct of these congresses and the path forward will also be part of the discussions.
The situation in Rivers State has created a rift between the party’s governors and the NWC, with the latter reportedly siding with Wike as the party leader in the state. However, PDP governors have publicly thrown their support behind Fubara, urging a review of the Rivers Congress results, which favored Wike.
Wike, displeased by the governors’ support for Fubara, issued a strong warning on August 31, threatening to “set fire” to any state where governors interfere in Rivers politics. His statement drew condemnation from the PDP Governors’ Forum, which labeled the threat as irresponsible.
In attendance at the NWC meeting are the acting National Chairman, Umar Iliya Damagum, National Secretary Senator Samuel Anyanwu, and National Publicity Secretary Debo Ologunagba, along with National Organizing Secretary Umar Bature, National Legal Adviser Kamaldeen Ajibade, and Deputy National Chairman (South) Taofeek Arapaja, among others.
