Wike
Wike triumphs over PDP govs as party’s NWC affirms his control of Rivers
The position of the Federal Capital Territory Minister, Nyesome Wike, has been strengthened by the National Working Committee, NWC, of the People’s Democratic Party, PDP, following the endorsement of the Rivers State congresses.
Indeed, the endorsement has led to the postponement of the crucial National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting, which was originally scheduled for September 26, now shifted to October 24.
The NWC-led by acting National Chairman Umar Damagum during a meeting at the party’s national headquarters, Wadata Plaza, in Abuja on Thursday, appeared to have given Wike a significant victory in the simmering political crisis in the state’s PDP.
The NWC’s approval of the Rivers State congresses is an affirmation Wike against the PDP Governors Forum, which has supported the current Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara.
The disagreement had reached a climax on August 24 when PDP governors publicly endorsed Fubara, and called for a review of the Rivers State congresses.
This pronouncement set the governors against Wike, who, on August 31, threatened repercussions in the states governed by PDP members if they continued to interfere in Rivers State affairs. In response, the PDP Governors’ Forum dismissed Wike’s threat, describing it on September 3 as irresponsible.
The NWC’s approval of the Rivers State congresses, along with those in other states, has effectively sidelined the governors’ opposition. While the NEC could potentially overturn the NWC’s decisions, the rescheduling of the NEC meeting to October 24 originally set for August before being moved to September 26 due to some members’ travel for pilgrimage may delay this.
The NWC’s decision also included the approval of congresses in other states, though some states, such as Kogi, had their approvals deferred due to identified anomalies.
Wike has once again triumphed even over the PDP Governors Forum, led by Bauchi State Governor Bala Mohammed. The current political landscape suggests that Wike has secured a decisive edge in the ongoing internal power struggle within the PDP.