The internal conflict within the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has reached a new level of intensity, splitting the party’s National Working Committee (NWC) into factions.
At the heart of the dispute is a struggle for control in Rivers State, involving former Rivers State Governor and current Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, and Bauchi State Governor, Bala Mohammed.
The crisis, which began after the court-ordered removal of Senator Iyorchia Ayu as National Chairman, has been exacerbated by Wike’s push to dominate party structures in Rivers.
Umar Damagum, the acting National Chairman, has faced growing dissent from within the party, leading to calls for his resignation.
Tensions escalated when the Damagum-led NWC, aligned with Wike, approved controversial PDP congresses in Rivers State and postponed a critical National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting from September 26 to October 24.
This move ignited further conflict between Wike and current Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara, as a majority of PDP governors rallied behind Fubara, calling for a review of the congresses.
Wike, in response, issued a warning on August 31, threatening to disrupt activities in the states of governors interfering in Rivers’ affairs. The PDP Governors’ Forum, chaired by Bala Mohammed, swiftly condemned Wike’s statement, labelling his threats as irresponsible.
A significant setback occurred for Wike’s camp during local government elections on October 5, when 22 out of 23 newly elected chairmen were from the Action Peoples Party (APP), undermining Wike’s influence in the region.
The internal strife came to a head on Friday, October 10, when the NWC, through a statement by the party’s National Director of Publicity, Chinwe Nnorom, announced the suspension of National Publicity Secretary Debo Ologunagba and National Legal Adviser Kamaldeen Ajibade (SAN).
The suspension followed allegations of their opposition to Damagum’s leadership and efforts to block Wike’s control over party structures.
The Damagum-led NWC quickly formed a committee, chaired by Deputy National Chairman (South) Taofeek Arapaja, to investigate the accusations against Ologunagba and Ajibade.
However, in a counter move, Ologunagba’s faction of the NWC announced the suspension of Damagum and National Secretary Samuel Anyanwu, accusing them of disloyalty and anti-party activities, particularly concerning a court appeal involving Rivers State lawmakers who defected to the All Progressives Congress (APC).
In a dramatic turn, Ologunagba’s group appointed National Treasurer Yayari Ahmed Mohammed as the acting National Chairman, further deepening the divide.
The PDP Board of Trustees (BoT), led by Senator Adolphus Wabara, called for calm and urged both factions to de-escalate tensions and restore unity within the party. Wabara reiterated the BoT’s commitment to peace, stressing the need for the party to remain focused on unity and progress ahead of future elections.
Speaking to The PUNCH, a senior NWC member from the Gov Bala Mohammed’s faction disclosed that Wike directed his supporters in the NWC led by Damagum to suspend Ologunagba and Ajibade (SAN) for opposing his interests in Rivers State and obstructing his control of the party structure at national.
The source stated that Ologunagba and Ajibade (SAN) were suspended not only for the Rivers issue but also for their consistent criticism of Damagum’s management of party funds.
The source stated, “The NWC has been divided for a while. The division was largely caused by Wike and Fubara’s conflict over Rivers structure. But the division became known to the public on Thursday after the rancorous NWC meeting.”
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