The acting National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, Umar Damagum, has postponed the party’s National Working Committee meeting until next week due to increasing tension between former Rivers State governor, Nyesom Wike, and the PDP Governors Forum, regarding the status of Rivers State party congresses.
Amid the lingering political crisis between Wike and the Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, the PDP governors had taken sides with Fubara, insisting that the governor should be recognised as the leader of the PDP in Rivers State.
The declaration by the governors had infuriated Wike, who warned them to stay out of Rivers matter or he would ‘put fire’ in their states.
But reacting on Tuesday, the PDP Governors’ Forum slammed Wike, describing his threat as irresponsible.
The PDP governors are demanding that the ward and local government congresses conducted in Rivers State, which gave the party’s structure to Wike, should be annulled and fresh ones conducted.
The PDP NWC meeting, which was expected to hold on Wednesday and would have provided an opportunity to further address the disagreements between Wike and the governors, did not, however, hold.
The PUNCH reported that despite a court injunction halting the PDP’s congresses in Rivers State, the Damagum-led NWC proceeded with the congress, which handed control of the party structure in Rivers State to Wike.
On August 24, the PDP Governors’ Forum voiced support for Fubara, urging the NWC to recognise him as the party leader in the state and transfer control of the party structure to him.
In response, Wike threatened to incite chaos in PDP state chapters if they backed Fubara.
The Governors’ Forum condemned Wike’s threats as irresponsible and reaffirmed its support for Fubara.
The PUNCH exclusively gathered that due to increasing tensions and to prevent confrontation at the NWC meeting scheduled for Wednesday, Damagum postponed the meeting until next week.
Our reporter, who was at the party’s national headquarters, Wadata Plaza in Abuja on Wednesday, observed that the Damagum, the National Organising Secretary, Umar Bature, the Deputy National Chairman South, Taofeek Arapaja, Deputy National Secretary, Setoji Kosheodo, were in the office between 1:05 pm and 3:10 pm.
A senior NWC member, who was present with them, stated that they gathered at the party headquarters to discuss the Kaduna chapter matter.
The source, who did not want his name mentioned because he was not authorised to speak on the matter, said, “There is no need for an NWC meeting at this time. The meeting will be held next week. We only convened to discuss the Kaduna State chapter (issues). There was an issue in Zango Kataf, but it has been resolved.”
Another senior PDP NWC member, who similarly requested anonymity, told The PUNCH that Damagum postponed the meeting out of concern it might lead to a confrontation.
The source added that other NWC members were unaware of any discussion regarding Kaduna; instead, Wike’s NWC loyalists met solely to finalise their plans.
He stated, “They are only playing games with the party members and its future. Those present at the secretariat today are part of their team.
“They postponed the meeting because they wee afraid of the potential outcomes. If we had met today (Wednesday), we would have discussed the Rivers and other states’ congresses. The NWC needs to approve everything. Pressure from Wike and from governors to the entire NWC led them to delay the meeting to buy time.
“They were at the Secretariat to plan their next move. That is why some of us are not aware. With the governors having taken an open stance, they are trying to delay things to achieve their objectives. Thus, they deliberately postponed the meeting.
“On our side, we can’t call for an NWC meeting because Wike’s faction is in the majority. But, let’s see what they will do next.”
When reached for comment, the PDP acting National Chairman clarified that no meeting was planned for Wednesday.
Damagum, in response to The PUNCH’s inquiry, said, “Ask the secretary if he has scheduled any NWC meeting for this week; it seems like you are the one suggesting the meeting.”
The PDP Deputy National Publicity Secretary, Ibrahim Abdullahi, also denied that the NWC meeting was postponed solely because of the Wike-governors conflict.
In response to the claim that the meeting was postponed out of fear of confrontation over Wike and the PDP governors, Abdullahi stated: “Not exactly. We simply decided to address the items for the meeting differently.
“The NWC couldn’t have been suspended owing to this singular Wike-governor’s imbroglio.”
PDP blames APC
Meanwhile, the PDP has alleged that the All Progressives Congress-led Federal Government is behind its internal conflicts and the turmoil within other opposition parties.
PDP Deputy National Publicity Secretary Ibrahim Abdullahi, who stated this in an exclusive interview with The PUNCH, urged President Bola Tinubu’s APC administration to refrain from interfering in their party.
Abdullahi stated, “They are our problem. It is better for President Bola Tinubu and his party, the All Progressives Congress, to focus on their own party and leave the PDP alone.
“All the efforts they are making to weaken the opposition, whether it is the PDP or other opposition parties, to ensure that in 2027 there are no presidential aspirants or candidates from other parties, will amount to nothing.
“We are wise enough to see beyond his immediate interests and can see through his intentions.”
In response, APC Publicity Director, Bala Ibrahim, criticised the PDP, stating that blaming others for their own problems was a sign of weakness.
Ibrahim, in an exclusive interview with The PUNCH, said the APC was prepared to offer guidance to the PDP leadership on managing party affairs.
He stated, “You see, if the PDP cannot manage its own affairs, it is disastrous for them to place the blame on others. If you cannot manage your own house, accusing others of inciting problems is a sign of weakness. It indicates that the PDP is incapable of handling its own issues and does not know how to proceed.
“If they are accusing the ruling APC of sponsoring people to cause problems within their party, why did they allow the cracks to appear? If they cannot do it and need the APC’s expertise, we can offer assistance, but it will come at a cost.
“The APC is focused on building the country and fulfilling its promises, not on the internal problems of a party that is struggling. We do not have time to engage with the issues of a party that is a sinking ship.”
