The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) is facing a growing internal crisis as divisions deepen within its National Working Committee (NWC) over the ongoing feud between Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara and Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister Nyesom Wike. The disagreement, which has been brewing for months, revolves around the control of the party in Rivers State.
On Friday, Deputy National Publicity Secretary of the PDP, Ibrahim Abdullahi, publicly challenged a statement made by the party’s spokesperson, Debo Ologunagba, regarding the party’s position on the Rivers crisis. Speaking at the PDP headquarters in Abuja, Abdullahi claimed that Ologunagba was not authorized to speak on behalf of the NWC.
Abdullahi clarified that the NWC had not approved the recognition of the Ewor-led executive committee in Rivers State, contradicting Ologunagba’s earlier statement. “For the avoidance of doubt, not even the said judgment has been served on the party. The NWC has neither received nor sat to take any decision on the said judgment,” Abdullahi stated.
He accused Ologunagba of spreading “calculated falsehood” and urged party members and the public to disregard the earlier statement. “The NWC hereby distances itself from the publication, which is merely the figment of the National Publicity Secretary’s imagination,” Abdullahi added.
In his previous statement, Ologunagba had affirmed the Ewor-led executive as the legitimate Rivers State leadership and called on them to work with Governor Fubara, signaling his support for the governor.
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Abdullahi criticized Ologunagba for allegedly exceeding his authority, pointing out that the NWC had not convened to make any decisions on the matter since September 2023. “A national publicity secretary does not enjoy such powers. He cannot speak for the NWC without clearance from the NWC. That is not the position of the law,” Abdullahi argued.
He also accused Ologunagba of letting personal sentiments influence his official duties. “It’s becoming very glaring that the party is having discomfort with some of his dispositions lately. He seems to have been speaking from both sides of his mouth,” Abdullahi said.
The deputy spokesperson also addressed the ongoing legal dispute surrounding the party’s national secretaryship. He affirmed that Senator Samuel Anyanwu remains the substantive national secretary until the Supreme Court determines an appeal regarding the position. “That is the position of the law. Where there is an appeal, it behooves the appellant to wait until the determination of the appeal,” Abdullahi stated.
The feud between Wike and Fubara has highlighted fractures within the PDP, with different factions aligning themselves with the two political heavyweights. The NWC’s apparent division over the matter has further complicated efforts to resolve the crisis, raising questions about the party’s internal cohesion.
Observers believe the ongoing feud and lack of consensus within the NWC could weaken the PDP’s standing ahead of future elections. As the situation continues to unfold, the party faces increasing pressure to address its internal disagreements and present a unified front.