The ongoing crisis within the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has created confusion regarding the party’s position on the upcoming local government election in Rivers State.
While the National Working Committee of the PDP has urged party members to participate in the election, the state chapter has issued a directive advising them to boycott the exercise.
This discord reflects the deepening rift between Governor Siminalayi Fubara and Nyesom Wike, the Minister of Federal Capital Territory (FCT), who have been embroiled in conflict recently.
Following the party congress held last month, Wike solidified his control over the Rivers PDP. In retaliation, Fubara has reportedly instructed his loyalists to defect to the Action Peoples Party (APP) to contest the election, signaling a dramatic shift in allegiance.
Realizing the significant influence that state government officials hold over local government elections and their outcomes, Wike’s supporters opted to withdraw from the electoral process, despite having initially contested the legitimacy of the election in court.
However, Fubara remains resolute in his decision to move forward with the elections, emphasizing his commitment to the political process.
In a statement released late Friday, the National Publicity Secretary of the PDP, Hon. Debo Ologunagba, called on the people of Rivers State to assert their sovereignty and constitutional rights by participating in the election. He encouraged voters to come out en masse and make their voices heard amid the prevailing political turmoil.
As the situation unfolds, the contrasting directives from the national and state chapters of the PDP highlight the internal divisions and power struggles that continue to challenge the party’s unity and effectiveness in the region.
He said, “The PDP insists that the right to civil control of democratic activities in Rivers State as a federating unit belongs to the generality of the people of the state and such right, including participation in Local Government Area election cannot be abridged or appropriated by any person, group or organization under any guise whatsoever.
“The Party maintains that the people of Rivers State are ready for election; the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission had also announced its readiness, preparedness and possession of necessary operational materials to conduct the election in line with the pronouncement of the Supreme Court and no court under the Electoral Act 2022 (as amended) has power to stop elections. “For avoidance of doubt, Section 84(15) of the Electoral Act, 2022 provides that “Nothing in this section shall empower the courts to stop the holding of primaries or general elections, under the Act pending the determination of a suit.
.“The PDP calls on Nigerians and the International Community to hold the APC and the Inspector General of Police responsible should there be any breakdown of Law and Order in Rivers State at this time. The Inspector General of Police should note that he is duty bound under the Constitution to provide the enabling and secure environment for the smooth conduct of the Rivers State Local Government Area election irrespective of where he stands as an individual.”
However, Chukwuemeka Aaron, PDP Chairman in Rivers, asked members of the party not to participate in or allow the conduct of local government election,
At a briefing, Aaron said, “The PDP, having reviewed all the cases relating to the local government elections, concludes as follows: We cannot support or promote lawlessness, or impunity in any form whatsoever even though we are the ruling party in Rivers State.
“The proper court judgment must be obeyed as we cannot choose which order of the court to obey and not to obey. We, therefore call on the Rivers State Governor who incidentally is a member of our great party, the PDP, to obey and comply wholly and strictly with the judgment of the Federal High Court in line with our character and ethics of our party, the PDP and suspend the planned October 5 Local Government elections in Rivers State.”
He commended the Nigerian Police for standing by the Federal High Court judgment, cautioning that announcing election results despite the suspension would be considered an invitation to violence.
“We also call on our members and indeed the law-abiding residents of Rivers State to defend the rule of law by ensuring full compliance with the judgment from the Federal High Court,” he said.