The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) is on the brink of an intense internal conflict as tensions escalate between Nyesom Wike, Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, and the PDP Governors Forum. The discord, stemming from Rivers State, is set to dominate discussions during the National Working Committee (NWC) meeting on Wednesday.
For months, Rivers State has been engulfed in a political feud between Wike and Governor Siminalayi Fubara, both PDP members. This rivalry has led to a split within the state House of Assembly, with factions backing either Wike or Fubara. Despite mediation efforts by prominent figures, the conflict continues, sparking multiple legal battles.
The situation intensified when the party, defying a court injunction, conducted congresses that effectively handed control of the Rivers State party structure to Wike. This move has drawn criticism, with some accusing Wike of leveraging his close ties with President Bola Tinubu to exert undue pressure on the party.
The PDP Governors Forum has expressed its support for Fubara, urging the NWC to recognise him as the legitimate leader of the party in Rivers. Meanwhile, Wike has vowed to retaliate against any attempts to undermine his influence.
As the NWC prepares to meet, the outcome could shape the future and determine whether the party can maintain unity or succumb to its internal divisions.
