Wike, Fubara Rift Splits PDP As 60 Reps Demand Acting National Chairman’s Resignation

In a dramatic turn of events, sixty members of the House of Representatives elected under the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), have called for the resignation of the party’s acting National Chairman, Umar Damagum, The PUNCH reports. The demand comes amidst a raging political feud between Rivers State Governor, Sim Fubara, and Federal Capital Territory Minister, Nyesom Wike. The lawmakers cited Damagum’s alleged silence in the face of the escalating political crisis between the two heavyweight politicians in Rivers State as the basis for their call for resignation.

The feud between Fubara and Wike has plunged the state into turmoil, with loyalists of both sides engaging in a bitter power struggle. Last October, 27 lawmakers aligned with Wike attempted to impeach Fubara, a move fiercely resisted by the governor. Despite a temporary peace brokered by President Bola Tinubu’s intervention, tensions have resurfaced, indicating a breakdown in the earlier truce. Recent threats by the pro-Wike lawmakers to revive the impeachment proceedings against Fubara have intensified the conflict, with the governor’s supporters questioning the legitimacy of the 27 lawmakers who defected to the All Progressives Congress (APC) during the crisis.

The sixty lawmakers, Led by Ikenga Ugochinyere, representing Ideato North/Ideato South Federal Constituency, Imo State, accused Damagum of aligning with Wike and collaborating with the ruling APC. They further alleged Damagum’s involvement in a plot to extend the tenure of Rivers State Local Government Area Chairmen loyal to Wike. They argue that Damagum’s actions betray the party’s ideals and call into question his leadership.