PDP: We’ll revisit conduct of Rivers congress
● Outcome of the elective exercise not conclusive, leadership says
By PHC Telegraph
The leadeeship of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has reaffirmed its will to take a second look at the outcome of congresses conducted in some states including Rivers State
National spokesperson of the party, Debo Ologunagba said in a reaction forwarded to the media that the party is reviewing the circumstances under which congresses held in 12 states.
Some of the states outside Rivers where monumental complaints have been received from aggrieved stakeholders are Benue, Ekiti, Katsina and Kogi.
In Rivers State which is on apparently the national frontburner, the congress that is under review took place despite a court order barring it.
Governor Siminalayi Fubara and his supporters stayed away from the congress out of respect for the judiciary and the rule of law.
It is difficult to understand why the NWC allowed Wike’s arm of the party in Rivers State to contravene an order of court halting the congress.
However, that decision to go ahead when the coast was not clear is now raising a lot of dust within the largest opposition party in the country.
A dispute is steadily developing within the PDP between the party’s National Working Committee (NWC) which appears to have authorised the congress and the Governors Forum.
The Governors of PDP controlled States are insisting that Governor Siminalayi Fubara is the authentic leader of the party in his State.
The Constitution of the Peoples Democratic Party is not silent when it comes to power sharing or who should be entrusted with the leadership of a state in which there is governor.
Inspite of having foreknowledge of established convention which recognizes the place of a governor as the leader of the PDP in his state, the former Rivers governor is refusing to yield ground to his successor.
Despite growing pressure from right thinking people in society who include well- bred sons and daughters of Rivers State urging the former governor who is the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory in an APC administration to let go his claim to the leadership of the PDP in Rivers, he has refused.
Wike rather threatened he would set fire in PDP states if the Governors of the party dare to back Fubara in Rivers State.
“Some governors say they will take the structure from us and give it to somebody”, Wike stated while participating in the State Congress.
“I hear that they have given them assurance that they will take the party from us. I pity those governors because I will put fire in their states.”
Looking at the situation as it unfolds, it is evident that PDP Governors have decided to call the bluff of the former governor who is accused of working against party interests as a serving cabinet member of the APC government.
Fubara’s administration was not expected to last up to a week, not to talk of months in office after differences between the former governor and his successor blew into the open.
Wike hasn’t been able to accomplish his desire to humiliate Fubara and maintain a political stranglehold on the Rivers people.
On the contrary, Fubara supported by the Rivers people has stayed on in office for more than a year. And there are very strong indications that he is gradually surmounting Wike’s bid to throw him out.
Debo Ogunagba“These issues are reviewed by the NWC, which will then make a decision. The process is not yet complete and will eventually be subject to ratification by the National Executive Committee (NEC).”
On the Rivers homefront, stakeholders who gathered at the Rivers State Government House last week expressed absolute support for the Rivers Governor.
Former Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Austin Opara said Rivers people are satisfied with the sterling leadership qualities of Governor Fubara.
He said Rivers people were proud of the changes that are taking place and enjoined the State’s number one citizen not to relent in his efforts to ensure that government delivers dividends of democracy.