The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has further cemented his influence in the ongoing Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) leadership tussle, as the party’s National Working Committee (NWC) endorsed the contentious Rivers State congresses. The move, seen as a victory for Wike and his loyalists, highlights the deepening rift between the former Rivers State governor and the PDP Governors Forum.
In a key development, Wike’s allies within the NWC not only secured approval for the Rivers congresses but also succeeded in postponing the National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting, originally scheduled for September 26, to October 24. This delay is critical, as the NEC meeting was seen as a potential platform for reversing the NWC’s decision, with many governors rallying behind Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara in opposition to Wike’s faction.
The NWC, chaired by acting National Chairman Umar Damagum, held its meeting on Thursday at the party’s national headquarters, Wadata Plaza in Abuja, marking the end of a three-week stalemate. The extended delay had fueled tensions within the party, particularly between Wike and key members of the PDP Governors Forum, who have clashed over the control of the Rivers State chapter of the party.
The internal power struggle escalated significantly on August 24, when PDP governors publicly declared their support for Governor Fubara as the leader of the PDP in Rivers State. This backing triggered Wike’s fury, leading to an outburst on August 31, during which he threatened to incite political instability in the governors’ states if they continued to meddle in Rivers State affairs.
Wike’s combative stance drew widespread condemnation, with the PDP Governors’ Forum issuing a strong rebuke on September 3, calling his threats irresponsible and undermining party unity. Despite this public pushback, Wike’s faction pressed forward, securing a critical victory in Thursday’s NWC meeting.
An unnamed senior member of the NWC, speaking on condition of anonymity, confirmed that the committee had approved not only the Rivers State congresses but also several others. However, certain states, such as Kogi, where irregularities were identified, saw their congress results held in abeyance.
“The approval of the Rivers congresses is a significant win for Wike,” the source disclosed. “The NWC also approved other state congresses, but a few, like Kogi, were stepped down due to anomalies in the election of key officials. The only body that can now overturn this decision is the NEC, but with the meeting postponed to October 24, Wike and his allies have more time to consolidate their position.”
The postponement of the NEC meeting is viewed as a tactical advantage for Wike’s camp. Originally slated for August, the meeting was first shifted to September 26 due to several members’ participation in the pilgrimage to Saudi Arabia. Now, with the further delay to October, Wike’s grip on the party structure remains intact, at least for the foreseeable future.
Observers within the party note that this latest victory is part of Wike’s broader strategy to assert dominance over the party’s internal machinery, particularly in light of his ongoing feud with Bauchi State Governor Bala Mohammed, who chairs the PDP Governors Forum. The approval of the Rivers State congresses, in particular, serves as a direct blow to the governors’ attempts to sideline Wike and elevate Fubara as the uncontested leader of the PDP in the state.
