The rivalry between former Rivers State Governor and FCT minister Nyesom Wike and his successor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has escalated into a fierce struggle over the leadership of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the state.
Tensions heightened after a Port Harcourt High Court presided over by Justice Stephen Jumbo, issued an order on January 13 restraining the state, local government, and ward executive committees led by Wike loyalist Aaron Chukwuemeka from functioning.
The ruling allowed Fubara’s camp to challenge Wike’s dominance in the party.
Robinson Ewor, Chairman of the PDP in Rivers West Senatorial District and a key Fubara ally, swiftly declared himself the acting state chairman and announced a caretaker committee at all party levels.
The move caused panic within Wike’s camp, leading to their occupation of the party’s secretariat on Aba Road, Port Harcourt, to prevent a takeover.
Police barricaded the area, while leaders from Wike’s camp, including Speaker Martins Amaewhule of the Rivers State House of Assembly, paid solidarity visits to Chukwuemeka.
Chukwuemeka dismissed Ewor’s declaration, maintaining that his committee remained the legitimate leadership of the PDP in Rivers State.
At a press briefing, he accused Fubara’s faction of trying to destabilize the party and vowed to appeal the court judgment.
“We need peace in Rivers State, and we cannot continue with endless litigation,” Chukwuemeka stated.
He called on Governor Fubara to allow peace to reign in the state and to stop fomenting trouble for the party.
He said: “This is the office, we have taken possession and we can not leave here, whatever court judgement they have gotten we are going to appeal it. We will follow the due processes 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,” Chukwuemeka. We are peace-loving and law-abiding citizens, and we will not be intimidated by those who seek to undermine our party.”