By Abiola Olawale
The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, appears to have consolidated his political position amidst the political turmoil affecting the Rivers state chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), as the National Working Committee (NWC) has purportedly given its approval to the state congresses conducted under his leadership.
This decision was said to have been made during a meeting of the NWC presided over by the acting National Chairman, Ambassador Umar Damagum, at the party’s national headquarters, Wadata Plaza, in Abuja on Thursday.
According to reports, the outcome of Rivers and other state congresses were upheld, and the NEC meeting had been rescheduled to October 24.
The leadership of the PDP NWC were said to have expressed their satisfaction in entrusting the party leadership in Rivers State to Wike rather than the incumbent Governor of the state, Siminalayi Fubara.
Also, the PDP NWC reportedly postponed the National Executive Committee meeting, originally set for September 26, to October 24, which could have overturned the decision.
The NEC meeting, originally set for August to address burning issues, including Damagum’s replacement, was first moved to September 26 because some members were travelling to Saudi Arabia for pilgrimage. It has now been rescheduled to October 24.
It would be recalled that the NEC meeting was postponed amid rising tension within the party, especially between Wike and the PDP Governors Forum over the status of Rivers State party congresses.
The PDP Governors’ Forum on August 24, declared their full support for Fubara.
The Governors declared Fubara as the “rightful” leader of the party in Rivers State.
In response, Wike announced at the PDP secretariat in Port Harcourt that he would take firm action against PDP-controlled states that threatened his political structure in Rivers state.
It would also be recalled that Rivers State has been in the news for the past year over the cold war between Fubara and his predecessor, Wike.
While the reasons for the acrimony between the duo remain top secret, some insider sources had said that Wike and Fubara had been purportedly battling for control of the oil-rich state’s resources and political machinery
