The crisis engulfing the Rivers State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) deepened on Thursday as police took control of the party’s secretariat on Aba Road, Port Harcourt.
The police intervention followed a looming standoff between two rival factions: the Aaron Chukwuemeka-led executive loyal to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, and the Robinson Ewor-led executive aligned with Governor Siminalayi Fubara. Both factions had planned to assume control of the secretariat.
The tension was compounded by a Monday, January 13, 2024, ruling by the Rivers State High Court. Justice Stephen Jumbo, in response to an interlocutory injunction filed by Edwin Woko and three others, restrained Chukwuemeka and his team from parading themselves as the state’s PDP executive.
Woko and his co-plaintiffs challenged the legality of the congresses held between July and August 2024, which produced Chukwuemeka’s executive committee. They argued that the congresses violated a prior court order issued by Justice Charles Wali on July 20, 2024, prohibiting such proceedings. Defying that order, the Wike faction conducted congresses on July 27, August 10, and August 31 without the participation of Fubara’s faction.
The crisis traces its roots to October 2023, when an attempt by lawmakers loyal to Wike to impeach Governor Fubara failed, igniting further discord within the party.
Following Justice Jumbo’s ruling, the Ewor-led caretaker executive committee, loyal to Fubara, was set to assume control of the secretariat on Thursday. However, security operatives blocked access to the secretariat, causing temporary traffic disruptions.
Addressing journalists, Ewor stated that while his faction intended to take over the secretariat, they would not forcefully do so. “We are committed to a peaceful atmosphere in the state,” he said, adding that security agencies had advised against taking control to prevent violence.
Ewor urged the PDP’s national leadership to recognize Fubara as the party’s leader in the state and to collaborate with the new leadership at all levels. He also vowed to discipline members found guilty of anti-party activities, particularly those who worked against the party during the 2023 elections. Without naming names, Ewor alluded to Wike’s support for President Bola Tinubu, then the APC’s presidential candidate, over the PDP’s Atiku Abubakar.
“We will establish a disciplinary committee in the coming days to address anti-party activities and other actions that harm the party. Members found wanting will face appropriate sanctions as stipulated in the party’s constitution,” he stated.
In a separate briefing, Chukwuemeka insisted that his executive remained legitimate. “This is the state secretariat of the PDP in Rivers, and I am the duly elected chairman,” he declared. Chukwuemeka dismissed claims of defection to the APC, emphasizing his loyalty to the PDP since 1999.
On the court ruling against his chairmanship, Chukwuemeka described it as “not executory” and vowed to appeal. He also called on Governor Fubara to prioritize peace in the state. “We are committed to following due process and ensuring peace and order in Rivers State. Litigation should not be our focus; we need to move forward,” he said.
Despite the assurances of both factions, the situation remains tense as the PDP in Rivers grapples with internal divisions threatening its stability.