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The leadership crisis within the Rivers State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has intensified following a recent court ruling that invalidated the congresses producing an executive committee aligned with Minister Nyesom Wike.

On January 13, the Rivers State High Court in Port Harcourt, presided over by Justice Stephen Jumbo, issued a restraining order that de-recognized the ward, local government, and state executive committees led by Aaron Chukwuemeka, the state chairman loyal to Wike.

The ruling followed an interlocutory injunction filed by local lawyers Edwin Woko, Love Otuonye, and others.

In response, Robinson Ewor, PDP chairman for Rivers West Senatorial District, declared himself the acting chairman of the party in the state.

Ewor also introduced a caretaker executive committee, including Dr. Feild Nkor as acting secretary, alongside other key members.

Ewor, supported by former members of the state working committee, claimed the court’s decision had restored the party’s leadership to its rightful owners.

He dismissed the legitimacy of the Wike-backed leadership, which had previously altered directives from the PDP National Secretariat to extend the tenure of the former executives.

He further argued that the court ruling had effectively nullified the positions of Chukwuemeka, Martin Amaewhule, and others, whom he claimed had defected to the All Progressives Congress (APC), thereby rendering them ineligible to lead the party.

Ewor called for the PDP National Executive to recognize Governor Siminalayi Fubara as the true leader of the party in Rivers State.

Meanwhile, the Wike-backed faction maintained that Chukwuemeka’s leadership remained valid, referencing a Federal High Court ruling in Abuja that authorized the conduct of the congresses.

Dr. Kenneth Yowika, the state publicity secretary, reaffirmed the legitimacy of the congresses held between July and August 2024, which led to the election and inauguration of the current state executives.

The Wike faction announced plans to appeal the Port Harcourt court’s decision, urging members to remain calm as legal steps are pursued.

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