- ...Their approach divisive -- Atiku's ex-adviser
Governors elected under the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) are preparing for a confrontation with the National Working Committee (NWC) over control of the party's structure in Rivers State, Daily Trust reliably gathered.
It was gathered that while the governors are insisting that Rivers State governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, be recognised as the rightful leader of the party in the state, the NWC appears intent on handing over control to Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister, Nyesom Wike.
At a recent meeting in Taraba State, the PDP Governors' Forum, chaired by Bauchi State Governor Bala Mohammed, declared their support for Governor Fubara as the party leader in Rivers. The governors also vowed to engage with the NWC to restore Fubara's leadership at the state level.
In response to the governors' position, Wike, speaking over the weekend at the PDP Secretariat in Port Harcourt, where his faction held their congress, warned of repercussions against PDP-controlled states that threatened the political structure in Rivers.
Wike stated, "Let me assure all of you, not while we live will anybody take away the structure of the PDP from us. I hear some governors say they will take over the structure and give it back to somebody. I pity those governors because I will put fire in their states."
Daily Trust reports that the renewed crisis in Rivers is linked to the recent congress and the battle for control of the party ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Sources within the party indicate that the NWC was in possession of two court orders that barred the conduct of the congress in Rivers while one allowed it, but some NWC members, led by Acting National Chairman, Umar Damagum, reportedly sanctioned the event.
Efforts to reach the acting National Chairman, Umar Damagum, for comment were unsuccessful, as he did not respond to calls or text messages.
But a senior party member told Daily Trust that the governors are prepared for a "fight to finish" with the NWC and, by extension, Wike, with many of them determined to wrest control of the party from him or abandon the party altogether.
"They don't want the party to crumble on their watch while Wike enjoys the comfort of the APC government.
"As one party member recently said, it is either they salvage it or let it die, allowing the APC to continue in 2027," the source added.
Governors condemn Wike's comments
Meanwhile, the governors on Tuesday in Abuja condemned Wike's threats, labelling his remarks as "unacceptable and irresponsible."
The Director-General of the PDP Governors Forum, Dr. Emmanuel Agbo, stated that Wike's threats to "put fire" in PDP-controlled states were "unbridled, irresponsible, and totally unacceptable," undermining efforts to maintain peace and cohesion within the party.
"It is rather unfortunate that this is coming from someone who was once a member of this highly revered forum as a former governor," Agbo added.
The governors reiterated their commitment to ensuring Fubara remains the party leader in Rivers, stating, "We are irrevocably committed to working with the NWC of our great party to ensure Governor Siminalayi Fubara of Rivers State receives all the privileges he is entitled to as a governor elected on the PDP platform."
They emphasised that their position is not personal and does not undermine any stakeholder's relevance. Instead, it reflects their dedication to maintaining order and eliminating conflicting loyalties, as exemplified by the situation in Rivers State.
"Our commitment to party unity is paramount. The PDP has always valued unity and collective progress. The governors' recent actions, including their support for Governor Fubara, reflect their dedication to these values," Agbo stated.
The governors also urged the NWC to invoke official provisions and good offices to find an amicable solution to the crisis in Rivers State. They also called on all parties to embrace dialogue and reconciliation, stressing that the PDP has established mechanisms for resolving conflicts, including recently constituted disciplinary and reconciliation committees.
The forum also urged national security agencies to take note of Wike's threats, stating, "No one is above the law."
Governors taking a divisive approach--Ulasi
However, speaking on Arise TV on Tuesday, Dan Ulasi, a former technical adviser to Atiku Abubakar, the presidential candidate of the party in 2023, said the approach adopted by the governors in the Rivers crisis could be termed divisive.
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Ulasi, who is also a former chairman of the PDP in Anambra State, acknowledged that the governors identifying with Governor Fubara was not out of place but added that they should have also reached out to Wike to ensure genuine reconciliation.
"The crisis has gone beyond the call of duty. Why? I had expected the 13 governors of the PDP earlier than now to have sat down with Wike. They have done one good thing; they have absolved the Governor of Rivers into their fold, but they are being divisive because it is that single action, which they failed to do. They would have been as intelligent people, which I know they are. First, sit down with the Minister of Federal Capital Territory before (identifying) with their own colleague and ask him (Wike) what the problem is. Let me tell you, for somebody to make you governor in this country is not easy; you don't pick it on the streets," he said.
He also revealed that he met with the acting chairman, secretary, and national organising secretary of the party and that they told him that Governor Fubara has not given them the opportunity to meet and discuss and that they had information that the Rivers governor was planning to use another political party to pursue the forthcoming local government election in the state.
