Political Battle Escalate In Rivers As Fubara, Camp Members Face Serious Pressure To Dump PDP; See Explosive Details
Governor Siminalayi Fubara is facing mounting pressure to defect from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) following a recent Appeal Court judgment in Abuja. This ruling provided some reprieve to Martins Amaewhule and 26 Assembly members allied with former Governor Nyesom Wike, further escalating the political tensions in the state and leading many to call for Fubara’ s departure from the PDP.
Political commentator Franklin Ntekim observed that the governor’ s difficulties have laid bare the PDP’ s neglect and toxicity, which he believes hinders Fubara’ s chances in future elections while he remains in the party. Ntekim criticized the PDP for its failure to support Fubara and questioned why Atiku Abubakar, the former Vice President and 2023 presidential candidate, has not reached out to the governor amid these challenges. He argued that this situation reveals a party more focused on individual whims than on the well- being of its members.
Human rights activist Solomon Lenu also advocated for Fubara’ s exit from the PDP, pointing to the party’ s allegiance to Wike and the potential denial of tickets for the governor’ s candidates in the upcoming local government elections. Lenu suggested that Fubara consider joining the Social Democratic Party (SDP) or the Accord Party, which he believes have a degree of popularity in the state. He cautioned against joining the Labour Party, citing concerns over its national leadership being influenced by powerful Abuja forces. Lenu emphasized that the SDP and Accord Party offer viable alternatives, unlike the currently compromised Labour Party.
In a separate political discourse, Edwin Clark, the elder statesman and National Leader of the Pan- Niger Delta Forum, recounted a past confrontation with Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB). Clark described advising Kanu to temper his activism and avoid violence, noting that Kanu had insulted him in response. Clark reflected on his own criticism of the terrorism act during Kanu’ s trial and revealed that investigations later confirmed that Kanu’ s escape from detention was due to a military invasion of his home in Umuahia, Abia State. Clark has since appealed to the federal government to release Kanu, advocating for a reconsideration of his case, as previously done.
This ongoing political drama underscores the complex dynamics of party loyalty and leadership in Nigeria’ s political landscape.
