Members of the People’s Democratic Party National Working Committee are currently holding an important meeting to discuss the Rivers and other state congresses in preparation for the National Executive Committee meeting.
The meeting began a few minutes past 3 p.m. on Thursday.
At the meeting at the PDP headquarters in Wadata Plaza, Abuja, the NWC members present included the acting National Chairman Umar Damagum and National Secretary, Samuel Anyanwu.
Also in attendance were the National Publicity Secretary, Debo Ologunagba, National Organizing Secretary Umar Bature, National Legal Adviser Kamaldeen Ajibade, and Deputy National Chairman South Taofeek Arapaja, among others.
The NWC meeting has been delayed for the past three weeks amid rising tensions within the party, especially between Minister of the Federal Capital Territory and former Rivers State governor, Nyesom Wike, and the PDP Governors Forum over the status of Rivers party congresses.
The political conflict between Wike and current Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, escalated on August 24 when PDP governors publicly backed Fubara.
The PDP governors called for a review of the Rivers Congresses and affirmed Fubara’s role as the leader of the PDP in the state.
This support for Fubara enraged Wike, who on August 31, threatened to create chaos in the governors’ states if they did not refrain from interfering in Rivers matters.
In response, on September 3, the PDP Governors’ Forum condemned Wike’s threat as irresponsible.
A senior NWC member, who requested anonymity due to lack of authorization to speak publicly, disclosed that the Rivers and other state congresses will be addressed in the meeting.
The source mentioned, “This is our latest meeting since the ward and state congresses. The NWC will review all issues related to the congresses, including those in Rivers and other states facing challenges.”
