Kehinde Fajobi
The crisis within the Rivers State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has escalated following a court ruling that nullified the congresses producing the faction loyal to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike.
On January 13, Justice Stephen Jumbo of the Rivers State High Court in Port Harcourt restrained the ward, local government, and state executive committees led by Aaron Chukwuemeka from functioning as party executives.
The ruling stemmed from an interlocutory injunction filed by lawyers Edwin Woko, Love Otuonye, and others.
In reaction, Robinson Ewor, PDP chairman for Rivers West Senatorial District, declared himself the acting state chairman.
Speaking in Port Harcourt on Wednesday, Ewor named Dr Feild Nkor as acting secretary alongside other caretaker committee members, stating the ruling returned control of the party to its rightful leaders.
Ewor accused Wike and his allies of manipulating directives from the PDP National Secretariat, which extended the tenure of former executives, leading to the contested congresses.
He pledged to enforce the court judgment, describing the previous leadership under Chukwuemeka as illegitimate.
Ewor said, “The court barred Aaron Chukwuemeka and others from parading themselves as members and executives of the Peoples Democratic Party in the state and at various levels.”
He added, “The party is being restored to the original owners… Governor Siminalayi Fubara is now recognised as the leader of the party in Rivers State.”
However, the Wike-backed faction dismissed Ewor’s claims. State publicity secretary Dr Kenneth Yowika noted that a Federal High Court in Abuja had earlier validated the congresses held between July and August 2024, which produced the Chukwuemeka-led executive.
Yowika said, “With reference to the judgment delivered by Justice Jumbo Stephens… our lawyers are studying the judgment, and we will immediately appeal.”
He cited previous rulings by Justice Peter Lifu, which upheld the legitimacy of the congresses.
The leadership dispute continues to polarise the Rivers PDP, with both factions vowing to assert their authority amidst mounting tensions.