The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has reinforced his influence in the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) leadership crisis as the National Working Committee (NWC) endorsed the Rivers State congresses.
The NWC, under the leadership of acting National Chairman Umar Damagum, reached this decision during a meeting held at the PDP national headquarters, Wadata Plaza, Abuja, on Thursday.
The meeting had been delayed for three weeks due to rising tensions within the party, especially between Wike and the PDP Governors Forum, over the legitimacy of the Rivers State congresses.
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EKO HOT BLOG reports that the political friction between Wike and Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara escalated on August 24 when the PDP governors publicly supported Fubara and called for a review of the congresses, affirming Fubara as the party leader in the state.
Wike, enraged by the governors’ interference, threatened on August 31 to cause disruption in their states if they did not stay out of Rivers State matters. This led to the PDP Governors Forum condemning Wike’s remarks as irresponsible on September 3.
According to a senior NWC member, speaking anonymously, the NWC approved the Rivers State congresses along with those in other states, though some states, like Kogi, had certain positions stepped down due to irregularities.
The NEC, which has the power to overturn the NWC’s decisions, was initially supposed to meet in August to address key issues, including the replacement of Damagum.
However, it was first rescheduled to September 26 due to members’ pilgrimage to Saudi Arabia and has now been further postponed to October 24.
The source revealed that Wike has once again outmaneuvered the PDP governors, especially the Bala Mohammed-led PDP Governors Forum, as the NWC’s decision stands unless overturned by the NEC.
The delay of the NEC meeting increases the likelihood that the decision will remain in Wike’s favor.
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