Wike Can’t be the Leader of PDP in Rivers State says PDP
The statement “Wike Can’t be the Leader of PDP in Rivers State says PDP” reflects a significant contention within the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) regarding leadership in Rivers State. Here’s an overview based on the information.
- Legal and Political Disputes: There have been court decisions and political maneuvers indicating a split within the PDP in Rivers State. For instance, a Rivers State High Court declared that 25 members of the Rivers State House of Assembly, previously associated with Nyesom Wike, remained PDP members despite attempts to declare their seats vacant due to alleged defection. This ruling might suggest an attempt to maintain Wike’s influence within the party structure.
- PDP’s Position: The PDP Governors Forum has backed Governor Siminalayi Fubara, urging the National Working Committee (NWC) of PDP to recognize him as the rightful leader of the party in Rivers State. This stance directly challenges Wike’s continued influence over the party apparatus in the state.
- Public and Political Sentiment: Various posts on X (formerly Twitter) and statements from political figures indicate a tumultuous relationship between Wike and other PDP members, including past and current leaders. There’s a sentiment that Wike, having been a governor and now a minister, should not continue to exert control over the PDP in Rivers State, especially against the backdrop of his predecessor, Rotimi Amaechi, not maintaining such control post-governorship.
- Party Dynamics: The PDP itself seems divided, with actions like dissolving certain party structures in Rivers State and court orders against holding party congresses, pointing to internal conflicts over who should lead the party in the state. The National Rescue Movement (NRM) chair’s statement and Edwin Clark’s call for Wike’s expulsion from PDP further illustrate this internal strife.
Given this context, the claim that “Wike can’t be the Leader of PDP in Rivers State” stems from:
- Governorship Succession: Traditionally, the sitting governor is seen as the party leader in the state, which would naturally position Fubara as the PDP leader in Rivers.
- Legal and Party Decisions: Court rulings and PDP’s internal actions suggest efforts to either limit Wike’s influence or recognize Fubara’s leadership.
- Political Norms: There’s an expectation, voiced by various political figures and observed in past transitions, that once a governor’s term ends, they should not continue to control the party machinery, allowing for new leadership to take over.
However, the situation remains fluid with legal battles, political maneuvers, and public statements indicating a power struggle within the PDP in Rivers State. While there’s strong opposition to Wike’s continued leadership, the final say might still be contested through legal and party processes.
