In a significant development, the National Working Committee (NWC) of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has endorsed the Rivers State congresses, solidifying Nyesom Wike’s position in the party’s leadership crisis. This decision is a blow to the PDP Governors Forum, led by Bauchi State Governor Bala Mohammed, who had backed current Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara.
The NWC, led by acting National Chairman Umar Damagum, made this decision during a meeting at the party’s national headquarters in Abuja. The meeting had been delayed for three weeks due to rising tension within the party.
Wike’s loyalists within the NWC secured the approval and also postponed the National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting, originally set for September 26, to October 24. This move prevents the NEC from overturning the decision.
A senior NWC member revealed that the approval of the Rivers and other state congresses was granted, and only the NEC can overturn it. However, the NEC meeting has been rescheduled to October 24, which may not hold on that date.
This development signifies Wike’s victory over the PDP governors, who had publicly backed Fubara and called for a review of the Rivers State Congresses. Wike had threatened to create chaos in the governors’ states if they continued to interfere in Rivers State matters.
