The ongoing crisis within the Rivers State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) escalated on Thursday when the police took control of the party’s secretariat on Aba Road in Port Harcourt.
This move came after both factions of the party – one led by Aaron Chukwuemeka, loyal to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, and the other led by Robinson Ewor, aligned with Governor Siminalayi Fubara – made competing claims to resume control of the office.
The dispute was fuelled by a recent court ruling. On January 13, 2024, Justice Stephen Jumbo of the state High Court issued an interlocutory injunction restraining Chukwuemeka and his faction from acting as the executive members of the party.
The injunction followed a legal challenge brought by Edwin Woko and three other PDP members, who contested the congresses that led to Chukwuemeka’s leadership, arguing that they violated a previous court order.
Despite the ruling, Chukwuemeka’s faction moved to the secretariat, insisting that he remains the authentic chairman of the Rivers State PDP.
Meanwhile, the Ewor-led faction, backed by Governor Fubara, had plans to take over the secretariat on Thursday, though they were advised by security agencies to delay the action to avoid any potential violence.
Our correspondent, who visited the location, observed a heavy police presence, with anti-riot officers stationed at both ends of the road leading to the secretariat. Police vans were parked outside the office as Chukwuemeka entered the building, asserting his claim as the legitimate leader of the party in the state.
Ewor, addressing the media, reiterated his faction’s commitment to a peaceful resolution and stated that they would not force their way into the secretariat.
He emphasised the importance of maintaining order and stability within the party, stressing that the national leadership should recognise Fubara as the legitimate PDP leader in Rivers State.
“We are working to ensure a peaceful atmosphere in the state,” Ewor said. “The security agencies are already on the ground to prevent any violence.”
In his statement, Ewor also hinted at taking disciplinary action against members involved in anti-party activities, referencing Wike’s support for President Bola Tinubu during the 2023 presidential elections. He said the party would soon set up a committee to address such issues.
On the other hand, Chukwuemeka maintained his position, rejecting claims that he had defected to the All Progressives Congress (APC). He asserted that his executive was duly elected and described the recent court ruling as “not executory,” indicating his intention to appeal the judgment. Chukwuemeka called for peace in the state, insisting that the secretariat was under his leadership.
“I have worked for this party since 1999, and I have never defected,” he declared.
“I remain committed to the party’s ideals and values.”
As tensions continued to rise, both factions appealed for calm while asserting their control over the party’s future in the state. The situation remains fluid, with further developments expected in the coming days.
The spokesperson for the Rivers State police command, Grace Iringe-Koko, was unavailable for comment at the time of writing, as she was reportedly in a meeting.
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