The Rivers State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) finds itself embroiled in deepening turmoil as the faction loyal to Governor Siminalayi Fubara has issued a stern warning to the state police command, accusing it of partisanship in the ongoing power struggle within the party.
In a statement issued late Tuesday in Port Harcourt, the acting state chairman of the pro-Fubara faction, Dr Robinson Ewhor, condemned the police for allegedly aiding the faction led by Aaron Chukwuemeka, whose leadership has been nullified by a Rivers State High Court ruling.
The party’s secretariat along Aba Road has become the epicentre of the crisis, with both factions vying for control. Armed police officers have maintained a barricade at the premises, allowing Chukwuemeka and his supporters access while barring the rival faction.
Chukwuemeka, however, insists he remains the legitimate chairman, citing a Federal High Court ruling that validated the congress which brought him to power. Meanwhile, Dr Ewhor has accused Chukwuemeka of defying the law, branding him an “impostor.”
Judicial Wrangling and Accusations
At the heart of the crisis are conflicting court rulings. A state High Court judgment delivered by Justice Stephen Jumbo nullified the congresses that installed Chukwuemeka and his executive, while Chukwuemeka argues that a Federal High Court judgment by Justice Peter Lifu supports his claim to the chairmanship.
Ewhor has warned Chukwuemeka to cease “illegal occupation” of the party secretariat and accused the police of enabling lawlessness. “The state police hierarchy continues to provide cover for illegitimate so-called PDP executives to perpetrate their illegal acts,” Ewhor stated.
The Fubara faction further called on the Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, and other security agencies to intervene, urging the police to remain neutral in the political crisis.
Political Theatre and Public Statements
The crisis has also played out in duelling press conferences. Chukwuemeka, speaking from the party’s barricaded secretariat under heavy police presence, dismissed the state High Court ruling as a “kangaroo judgment” and vowed to appeal. “We were duly elected, and the congress was observed by officials from the party’s national secretariat,” he asserted.
Ewhor, addressing journalists at a separate location, reiterated his faction’s commitment to legal and civil resolution. “We are law-abiding citizens and will not resort to illegalities,” he said, while urging PDP supporters to remain calm in the face of provocation by “desperate political merchants.”
Police Silent Amid Allegations
The state police command has so far refrained from taking an official position. When contacted, the command’s spokesperson, Grace Iringe-Koko, declined to comment, citing other engagements.
A Fractured Political Landscape
The unfolding crisis highlights the internal divisions within Rivers State’s ruling party, with accusations of judicial defiance, political desperation, and institutional bias painting a stark picture of the state’s political climate.
As the PDP factions continue their tug-of-war, the implications extend beyond the party itself, threatening to unsettle the broader political landscape in Rivers State. Whether through court rulings or negotiated resolutions, the party must grapple with restoring unity amid mounting tensions.
