Tensions reached a boiling point in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, on Thursday, as police barricaded the entrance to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) secretariat along the Aba Road.
The action followed reports of a planned takeover of the secretariat by an Acting Executive Committee recently formed after a court nullified the elected party leadership.
Earlier this week, a Rivers State High Court in Port Harcourt nullified the PDP ward, local government, and state congresses conducted in 2024.
Although the planned takeover was suspended, the crisis remained evident as rival factions held separate press briefings to assert their positions.
Crowds of party supporters, some inside the complex and others outside, added to the charged atmosphere.
Speaking on the matter, Aaron Chukwuemeka, leader of the restrained executive, decried the proliferation of legal disputes involving the party and called on Governor Siminalayi Fubara to intervene for the sake of peace. “The growing number of court cases is damaging to our party’s unity. We urge Governor Fubara to prioritize reconciliation,” Chukwuemeka said.
Kingsley Chuku (SAN), the PDP’s State Legal Adviser, disclosed that the party had not yet received formal copies of the court ruling. “Once the ruling is available, we plan to appeal it. We remain committed to restoring lawful leadership within the PDP,” Chuku affirmed. Both Chukwuemeka and Chuku also accused the Acting Executive members of affiliations with the All People’s Party, questioning their legitimacy to lead the PDP.
Meanwhile, Robinson Nname-Ewor, who has declared himself Acting Chairman of the Rivers PDP, announced that the secretariat takeover had been suspended to avoid further tensions. “We have decided to suspend the planned takeover to prevent any escalation of hostilities,” he stated.
Nname-Ewor outlined steps to address the crisis, including reinstating Governor Fubara’s leadership and formally recognizing the Acting Executive at the state level.
He also revealed plans to establish a disciplinary committee to investigate alleged anti-party activities, particularly those tied to the 2023 general elections.
The crisis escalated on Wednesday when factional leadership emerged with Nname-Ewor proclaiming himself acting chairman of the party in the state.
