Rivers PDP Crisis: Chairman Vows To Sack Wike, Others for Anti-Party Activities

…As Chukwuemeka Denies Defection Allegations

The crisis within the Rivers State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has taken a new turn as Robinson Ewor, the acting chairman, has vowed to suspend or sack members found guilty of anti-party activities during the 2023 general elections.

The decision was made known during a press briefing in Port Harcourt on Thursday,  where the acting chairman announced that  there were plans to set up a disciplinary committee to address anti-party activities, particularly during the 2023 general elections.

 Ewor, stated that those found wanting would face disciplinary action, including suspension, sacking, and sanctions, in line with the party’s constitution.

He emphasized the party’s commitment to upholding its supremacy, implementing its manifesto and constitution, and working with the national leadership.

He said: “We shall also in the next few days set up a disciplinary committee to deal with issues of anti party activities especially during the 2023 general elections and beyond and every other activities by party members that are capable of bring the party to disrepute.

“Those that are found wanting shall be disciplined appropriately including but not limited to suspension, sacking and sanctions that are known to the party Constitution.  

“The party is supreme, we shall uphold the supremacy of the party. We shall implement the manifestoe if the party and Constitution.”

However, in a press conference held at the Rivers State party secretariat on Thursday, Aaron Chukwuemeka, the embattled state chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), instisted that his executive was duly elected, dousing every doubt of a parallel PDP.

He said: “This morning, I deemed it fit that we will address a press conference to the whole so that they will aware of what we are doing in PDP Rivers State. 

“Some people are trying to missinform the public but I want to say that here we are today is the state secretariat of the PDP in Rivers, ably led by myself, Chukwuemeka Aaron as the state chairman of this party. 

“I was duly elected, all the excos that were elected with me are here seated. We started as caretaker committee of our party and we were saddled with the responsibility of conducting a fresh election to usher in a duly elected State, Local government and Ward exercutives. 

“And that mandate that was given to me and the caretaker members then we were saddled with the responsibility of selling forms to party members who are interested to run the election and which we did. Those who were interested to run for the election bought forms.”

Chukwuemeka denied allegations of defection and reaffirmed his commitment to the PDP.

He said: “I have laboured for this party since 1999, and I have served in various capacities, including LGA party secretary, LGA party chairman, deputy state chairman, and now state chairman. I have never decamped from the PDP, and I remain committed to the party’s ideals and values.”

He criticized those he referred to as the “APP party” for fomenting trouble and trying to create a parallel PDP in the state. 

He accused them of being anti-party and trying to undermine the legitimate leadership of the party.

The chairman also addressed the recent court ruling that purportedly sacked him and other party executives.

He claimed that they were not party to the suit and were not aware of who represented them in court, describing the judgment as “not executory” and vowed to appeal it.

Chukwuemeka also called on Governor Siminalayi Fubara to allow peace to reign in the state and to stop fomenting trouble for the party. 

“This is 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.”

Meanwhile, Ewor, who had announced on Wednesday that his faction will implement the judgement by taking over the party secretariat on Thursday, further explained that the planned take over the reins of the party was aborted to maintain peace and avoid a breakdown of law and order. 

According to Ewor, security agencies had advised the party to shelve its plans to take over the secretariat, as they were already on ground to prevent any potential violence. 

This advice was heeded, Ewor said, in line with the peaceful disposition of Governor Siminalayi Fubara, who has earned accolades for his approach to issues.

The aborted takeover plan comes on the heels of a Rivers State High Court judgment that sacked the Aaron Chukwuemeka-led state executive committee of the PDP.

 The court also nullified the ward and local government committees of the party. 

Ewor’s faction has taken over the leadership of the party in acting capacity, with the original state executive committee members resuming their roles.

Ewor assured that under the new leadership, the party would work towards healing and rebuilding, with a focus on restoring lost hope across the state’s 23 local government areas and 319 electoral wards. 

He outlined plans to consult with stakeholders, unite members, and embark on sensitization tours and membership drives.

He called on the national leadership to recognize Governor Fubara as the leader of the party in the state and to work with the new leadership at the state, local government, and ward levels.

He appealed to party supporters and faithful to remain calm, assuring that the party is taking necessary steps to take possession of the secretariat.

He said: “A very recent development, the security agencies being aware of the our position to take back the Secretariat of our party today, in the quest to maintain peace, has advised that we shave the process as they are currently on ground at the party secretariat to prevent possible breakdown of law and order.  

“It is on this note and online with the peaceful deposition of the leader of our party in the state, Siminalayi Fubara, to issues of this nature which has earned him several accolades that we have resolved to allow good reasoning to prevail and call off the plan to take over party secretariat today. 

“We are also appealing to our teeming supporters and party faithfuls across the state to remain calm as we are taking necessary steps to take possession of our party secretariat.”