The leadership of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Rivers State has issued a strong rebuttal to claims by the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, that the party has collapsed in the state. The party insists its structures remain solid and politically relevant.
PDP Chairman Challenges Wike's Authority
In a direct response, the state's PDP caretaker chairman, Nname Ewor, described Wike's comments as misleading. Ewor spoke to journalists in Port Harcourt on Monday, December 29, 2025, following Wike's remarks at a town hall meeting the previous day.
Ewor stated that while the PDP has faced internal challenges, it is now healing and repositioning itself. He directly countered Wike's assertion that both the PDP and the All Progressives Congress (APC) no longer exist in Rivers State.
"There is APC and there is PDP in Rivers State," Ewor declared. "The APC in Rivers State is led by the governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, while the PDP in Rivers State is led by my humble self. So, for anyone to say there is no PDP here is completely untrue."
He further questioned Wike's right to make such pronouncements, noting that the FCT Minister is currently not a registered member of any political party in Nigeria.
Social Contract Over Personal Agreements
Addressing the topic of political agreements and loyalty, Chairman Ewor emphasized that the only binding pact in the state is the social contract between the people and their elected governor.
"To the best of my knowledge, the people of Rivers State entered into a social contract with Governor Fubara in 2023 and gave him a four-year mandate," he explained. "It is for the people to decide in 2027 whether to renew that mandate. Any other agreement between individuals is purely personal and has nothing to do with the people."
Defections Are Personal, Not Damaging
On the recent defection of two serving senators and others from the PDP to the APC, Ewor downplayed the impact. He characterized these moves as acts driven by personal ambition rather than public interest.
"Defection is a personal thing, done for personal gain," he asserted. "It does not bring any overall benefit to the people of Rivers State. Those who defected did so to align with power, not to advance development. Their exit will not damage the PDP in any way."
He reaffirmed the party's commitment to policies focused on development over the "political weight" of any single individual.
Warning Against Divisive Tribal Rhetoric
Adding his voice, the Acting Secretary of the Rivers State PDP, Chief Ogbam Ojima, cautioned the FCT Minister against making statements that could inflame ethnic tensions in the state. Ojima, who is from the Ikwerre ethnic group, explicitly rejected any notion of tribal supremacy.
"Rivers State belongs to all its people," Ojima stated. "Ikwerre, Kalabari, Ogoni, Etche, Ogba and others are all important. Tribal sentiments should never override the core responsibility of a politician, which is representation and delivery of the people’s mandate."
He warned that such divisive rhetoric could threaten the peace and unity of the state, urging leaders to focus on inclusive governance.
PDP's Path Forward: Rebuild and Reconcile
Concluding their stance, the PDP leadership vowed to continue rebuilding the party, reconciling internal differences, and emerging stronger to defend the interests of Rivers people ahead of future political contests. The party remains determined to prove its relevance and structural integrity despite the claims from its former prominent leader.
