Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has strengthened his position in the ongoing Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) leadership crisis as the National Working Committee (NWC) endorsed the Rivers State congresses.
Wike’s loyalists in the NWC not only secured this approval but also succeeded in postponing the critical National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting, initially scheduled for September 26, to October 24, 2024.
The NWC, led by acting National Chairman Umar Damagum, made this decision during a meeting on Thursday at the PDP national headquarters, Wadata Plaza, Abuja. This meeting had been delayed for three weeks amidst rising tensions within the party, particularly between Wike and the PDP Governors Forum regarding the leadership and status of the Rivers State party congresses.
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The conflict between Wike and Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara intensified on August 24 when PDP governors publicly supported Fubara as the leader of the PDP in the state and called for a review of the Rivers congresses.
Wike, enraged by this, threatened on August 31 to create chaos in the governors’ states if they continued to interfere in Rivers State matters. In response, the PDP Governors Forum condemned Wike’s threats as “irresponsible” on September 3.
A senior NWC member, speaking anonymously, revealed that the committee had approved the Rivers and other state congresses during the meeting. However, a few states where issues were identified, such as Kogi, had their congresses stepped down due to irregularities. The source stated, “Wike has again defeated the PDP governors as the NWC approved the Rivers and other states’ congresses.”
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The NEC meeting, initially scheduled for August to address key issues, including the replacement of Damagum, was first postponed to September 26 because some members were traveling for pilgrimage. Now rescheduled for October 24, the meeting could potentially overturn the NWC’s decisions, but some doubt whether it will hold on that date.
As it stands, Wike has emerged victorious against the PDP Governors Forum, led by Bauchi State Governor Bala Mohammed, consolidating his influence within the party. The delay of the NEC meeting further solidifies his advantage in the ongoing power struggle.