By Ibrahim Bakare
The battle for the control of Rivers state Peoples Democratic Party-PDP chapter has set two political gladiators apart as the incumbent Governor Siminialayi Fubara and his political godfather FCT Minister Nyesom Ezenwo Wike are now dagger drawn in the political maneuvering and the conduct of the July 27th 2024 Wards congresses and others including Local Government Areas and state scheduled Congresses are now issues of battleground for the duo. Both side used the Courts as authorities to outwit each other first on July 16th, 2024 Governor Fubara led supporters obtained Court injunction that stopped PDP Wards, LGAs and state Congresses twice from holding whereas Nyesom Wike supporters including the Acting state Chairman Aaron Chukwuemeka approached FCT High court which issued Order that PDP should hold congresses as scheduled in Rivers state as approved by National Working Committee of the party. The FCT High Court ordered that only those who duly obtain Forms and ad hoc delegates office seekers should participate in the elections. It was on the strength of the Abuja FCT Court ex Parte Order that gave Wike supporter the mind and support to participate in 319 wards election with INEC officials supervising the election of party officers at the 19 wards. Thus setting up Wike’s control backbone of PDP in Rivers state.
Another matter so dire to Governor Siminialayi Fubara is the conduct of the Rivers state Local Government Area Council election.
On Tuesday 6th of August 2024, through a monitored Super Fm 93.3FM station Port Harcourt bees broadcast, Members of Action People Party –APP with the state chairman Chief Sunny Wokekoro former PDP founding Secretary in 1998, asked Rivers state governor Siminialayi Fubara to join APP and recontest for the second term election come 2027. Over 21 stakeholders of the party in Rivers state praised the Rivers State governor to join APP as a political party for his second term re-election contest in 2027.
There has been real all time battle for dominance and control of the ruling party PDP in Rivers state.
Right inside GRA phase 2 by Genesis Fast-food junction APP has taken bold step to acquire a high profile property for use by the political party in Rivers state,
governor Siminialayi Fubara for finding Chief Sunny Wokekoro worthy to lead the Party in the state.