Governors of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) have reaffirmed their decision to recognize Siminalayi Fubara as the rightful leader of the party in Rivers State, despite the ongoing power struggle with Nyesom Wike, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
Fubara, the current governor of Rivers State, has been locked in a battle with Wike over control of the party’s structure in the state.
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During a recent meeting in Taraba State, the PDP Governors’ Forum expressed their unwavering support for Fubara.
In a communique released after the meeting, the forum condemned the use of court rulings to determine the outcomes of party congresses in Rivers and pledged to work with the National Working Committee (NWC) to correct the situation.
“The Forum notes the political impasse in Rivers State where court judgements are employed to determine the outcome of party congresses,” the communique read.
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“The PDP Governors’ Forum stands firmly with Governor Siminalayi Fubara and will engage the NWC to ensure that he assumes his rightful leadership position within the party in Rivers State.”
Wike, clearly angered by the governors’ stance, threatened to retaliate by causing unrest in their states, particularly singling out Bauchi Governor Bala Mohammed.
In a heated response, Wike warned that governors meddling in Rivers State politics would face consequences in their own territories.
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“I don’t care if you’re from Bauchi or anywhere else,” Wike said. “If you try to interfere in Rivers State, your hand will get burnt, and you’ll never have peace in your state.”
In response, Governor Mohammed, who also chairs the PDP Governors’ Forum, maintained that the forum would stand by its decision to recognize Fubara as the leader of Rivers PDP.
He made this clear during a press briefing after meeting with members of the NWC, led by the National Legal Adviser, Kamaldeen Ajibade (SAN).
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“We had a very productive meeting with the NWC delegation, and they fully support our position that Governor Siminalayi Fubara is the rightful leader of the PDP in Rivers State,” Mohammed said. “This is in line with the established practice of the PDP, where sitting governors are recognized as party leaders in their respective states.”
Mohammed further stressed that efforts were being made to resolve the rift between Wike and Fubara, acknowledging their mentor-mentee relationship.
He expressed hope that the two would eventually reconcile for the good of the party.
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Addressing the broader issue of PDP leadership, Mohammed also noted the constitutional irregularity of having a National Chairman from the North East, a position traditionally reserved for the North Central.
He cited the party’s constitution, which mandates that leadership positions return to the region where they were originally allocated.
“The North Central has been vying for this position, and we are working with the NWC and the party to ensure they get the opportunity to assume the responsibility,” Mohammed said, referencing a past instance where the North East benefitted from a similar constitutional arrangement.
Mohammed expressed confidence that the PDP remains strong and capable of producing Nigeria’s next president.
