The leadership crisis in the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Rivers State has escalated, with members of the National Working Committee (NWC) siding with Governor Siminalayi Fubara in his growing dispute with Nyesom Wike, the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister.
During a visit to Port Harcourt on Wednesday, a delegation led by Ahmed Mohammed, the PDP national treasurer, and Debo Ologunagba, the party’s spokesperson, declared Governor Fubara the leader of the PDP in Rivers State.
Speaking after the meeting, Mohammed reinforced the PDP’s strategy for reclaiming power at the national level in the 2027 elections. He emphasized the party’s tradition of recognizing sitting governors as leaders of the party in their states.
“From Rivers to the national level, we are working together, and the governor is the leader of the PDP in Rivers State as it is the policy of the PDP that every sitting governor is the leader of the party,” Mohammed stated.
“So, invariably, the governor of Rivers State is the leader of the PDP. We came to visit our leader and to assure him that we are 100 percent with him.
“The essence of the visit is to assure Nigerians that the PDP is coming together and trying to see that in May 2027, the PDP takes over governance in Nigeria.”
This declaration has further exposed the divisions within the PDP. Mohammed and Ologunagba are reportedly aligned with one faction of the NWC, while another faction, led by acting national chairman Umar Damagum, supports a rival group.
Court Ruling Adds to the Crisis
The tensions were heightened last week by a Rivers State high court ruling that nullified the PDP congresses held in August 2024 across 319 wards and 23 LGAs in the state. These congresses were reportedly influenced by Wike, signaling an ongoing battle for control of the party’s structure in Rivers.
In response to the ruling, Ologunagba issued a statement saying the PDP NWC had accepted the court’s decision. However, this statement was immediately challenged by Ibrahim Abdullahi, the PDP deputy spokesperson, who accused Ologunagba of spreading “calculated falsehood.”
“I was directed by the acting national chairman, Umar Damagum, to clarify that Ologunagba’s statement does not represent the official position of the PDP. He was not authorized to speak on the judgment,” Abdullahi said.
A Party Divided
As the rift between Fubara and Wike deepens, the PDP faces significant challenges in reconciling its internal divisions. Rivers State, a key PDP stronghold, is pivotal to the party’s electoral strategy.
The visit by Ahmed Mohammed and Debo Ologunagba appears to signal the NWC’s effort to consolidate support for Fubara. However, the ongoing court rulings and factional disputes cast doubt on the party’s unity and readiness for the 2027 elections.
