In a decisive victory for Nyesom Wike, Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, his loyalists within the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) have secured control over the Rivers State chapter of the party. The National Working Committee (NWC) of the PDP has granted approval for congresses held in Rivers State, further solidifying Wike’s influence in the ongoing leadership battle.
Wike’s loyalists successfully lobbied the NWC to postpone the National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting from its original date of September 26 to October 24. This delay strengthens Wike’s position as only the NEC can overturn the NWC’s decisions, including those that favor Wike over several opposing PDP governors.
“They have achieved their aim. Wike has again defeated the PDP governors as the NWC approved the Rivers and other states’ congresses. There was nothing a few NWC members who were against it could do other than allow them to have their way,” a source within the party stated. “Only the NEC can overturn it to suit the governors’ demands.”
Despite opposition, the NWC approved the Rivers congress alongside other states, although some states like Kogi faced partial disapproval due to irregularities. The chairman and deputy of Kogi, for instance, were not given the green light due to identified anomalies.
As Wike solidifies his hold over the PDP’s Rivers chapter, the upcoming NEC meeting now stands as a critical event, though doubts loom over whether it will take place as scheduled in late October. For now, Wike has triumphed over his rivals, including Bauchi State Governor Bala Mohammed, who leads the PDP Governors Forum.
