Rivers PDP Distances Itself From Ibadan Convention

Rivers PDP Distances Itself From Ibadan Convention
Stakeholders accuse national body of exclusion and lack of consultation.
Group reaffirms loyalty to Governor Fubara as party leader in state.

Key leaders and stakeholders of the Peoples Democratic Party in Rivers State have formally distanced themselves from the party’s national convention scheduled for November 15 and 16 in Ibadan, Oyo State.

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EKO HOT BLOG reports that their position was contained in a joint statement signed by several state executives and local government chairmen, including Kingsley Waite, Tombari Sydney Gbara, Victor Pepple, Otamiri John Ngubo and Ejekwu Princewill.

In the statement, the leaders said the unresolved leadership crisis at the national level had fractured the party across several state chapters. They noted that multiple court cases and counter-litigations had deepened the conflict and left the party without a unified direction.

According to them, the convention was planned without proper consultation with the Rivers chapter or with Governor Siminalayi Fubara, whom they identified as the undisputed leader of the party in the state. They said the breakdown in communication created a situation where the chapter was completely sidelined.

The stakeholders also expressed displeasure that their names and photographs were used in the convention brochure without prior consent or approval. They described the act as inappropriate and a violation of internal party procedures.

Citing the unresolved crisis and lack of communication from the national secretariat, the group announced that they would boycott the convention. They stated that the decision was unanimous across the chapter’s leadership.

The Rivers PDP leaders reaffirmed their loyalty to Governor Fubara, stressing that he remains the legitimate and uncontested leader of the party in the state.