Anti-Party: Rivers PDP chairman threatens to sack Wike, others
… NWC welcomes court verdict, affirms new EXCO
Barikui Felix- Port Harcourt
The crisis rocking the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Rivers State took a worrying dimension on Thursday as the party’s Acting Chairman, Robinson Ewor, vowed to sack the Minister of Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, and other of his followers for anti-party activities.
Ewor, who assumed leadership of the party following a Rivers State High Court judgment that sacked the Chukwuemeka Aaron-led executives, also announced plans by the party’s leadership in the state to set up a disciplinary committee to address anti-party activities, particularly during the 2023 general elections.
The party chairman stated this during a media conference to announce his takeover of the party in the state.
He emphasized the party’s commitment to upholding its supremacy, implementing its manifesto and constitution, and working with the national leadership.
He said: “We shall also set up a disciplinary committee in the next few days to deal with issues of anti-party activities, especially during the 2023 general elections and beyond, and every other activity by party members that is capable of bringing the party to disrepute.
“Those found wanting shall be disciplined appropriately, including but not limited to suspension, sacking, and sanctions known to the party Constitution.
“The party is supreme, and we shall uphold the supremacy of the party. We shall implement the manifestos of the party and Constitution.”
It would be recalled that Wike and his supporters had publicly acknowledged supporting the election of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu of the All Progressives Congress, APC, during the 2023 elections.
However, responding in another press conference on Thursday, the sacked Rivers PDP Chairman, Aaron Chukwuemeka, insisted that his executive was duly elected and that he remains the chairman.
Chukwuemeka denied allegations of anti-party activities and reaffirmed his commitment to the PDP.
Reacting to the court ruling that sacked him and other party executives, he claimed that they were not party to the suit and were not aware of who represented them in court. He described the judgment as “not executory” and vowed to appeal it.
Chukwuemeka urged the state Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, to allow peace to reign and desist from fomenting trouble for the party.
He stated, “This is our office. We have taken possession, and we can not leave here. Whatever court judgment they have gotten, we are going to appeal it. We will follow the due process and ensure that there is peace and order in the state.
“We need peace in Rivers State, and we cannot continue to file one litigation after another. We are peace-loving and law-abiding citizens and will not be intimidated by those who seek to undermine our party.”
Meanwhile, operatives of the Rivers State Police Command barricaded the premises of the PDP secretariat along Port Harcourt—Aba Road in the State on Thursday.
It was learned that the security presence at the secretariat was to avert possible clashes between party factions.
Recall that Robinson Ewor, during the briefing, had vowed to take over the party secretariat on Thursday following an interlocutory injunction of the State High Court. However, it announced that it had shelved the plan following security advice.
In the meantime, the National Leadership of the PDP has said it would abide by the court ruling that sacked the Aaron Chukwuemeka-led executives.
A statement by Debo Oluganagba, the PDP’s National Publicity Secretary, also affirmed the Ewor-led EXCO’s ability to manage the party’s affairs in the state.
The statement reads in part: “The National Working Committee (NWC) of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) acknowledges receipt, considered, and hereby accepts the judgment of the Rivers State High Court, which in Suit No. PHC/2301/CS/2024 nullified the Ward, Local Government and State Congresses of our Party in Rivers State conducted on July 27, August 10, and August 31, 2024, respectively.
“Consequently, in line with the judgment of the Court delivered on Monday, January 13, 2025, the NWC affirms the Hon. Nname Robinson Ewor-led Rivers State Executive to henceforth pilot the affairs of the PDP Rivers State Chapter following the provisions of the Constitution of the PDP (as amended in 2017)”.
The NWC further charged Ewor with working hard and uniting the party in the state.
