The People’s Democratic Party (PDP) Governors’ Forum has thrown its support behind Governor Siminalayi Fubara of Rivers State, urging the party’s National Working Committee (NWC) to give the governor his “legitimate” position as leader of the party in the state.
The group in a statement issued on Friday at the end of its meeting in Jalingo, Taraba State, urged the national leadership of the party to allow Fubara to take his position as the legitimate leader of the party in the state.
“The PDP Governors Forum reiterates its stance with the Governor of Rivers State and will liaise with the NWC of our great party to revisit the congress to correct the anomaly and enable Governor Siminalayi Fubara assume his rightful leadership position of the party in the State.”
The statement was read by the Governor of Bauchi State, Bala Mohammed, Chairman of the forum.
This is contained in a statement sent to PREMIUM TIME on Friday by Governor Fubara's spokesperson, Nelson Chukwudi.
The statement comes against the backdrop of long-standing political divisions between Fubara and his predecessor, Nyesom Wike, who is now the FCT minister for control of the political structure in the state.
The political feud between Mr Fubara and Mr Wike, which has defied interventions, has split both the Rivers House of Assembly and the ruling PDP in the state into two factions, each loyal to one of the leaders.
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The national leadership of the party which appears to support Mr. Wike recently held party congresses in the state despite a court order obtained by allies of Governor Fubara against such exercise.
The conduct of the exercise indicates that Mr Wike's loyalists are still in control of the party at the state level.
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In the statement, the PDP governors promised to engage the party's NWC to review the congresses in order to “correct the anomaly.”
The political crisis in oil-rich Rivers erupted into street violence in June, leading to the deaths of two people, including a police officer, after Governor Fubara dissolved Wike-backed elected council officials following the expiration of their three-year term.