No PDP Congress held in Rivers State, Says Ugochinyere, Describes Event as Political Jamboree

Hon. Ikenga Ugochinyere, a member of the House of Representatives representing the Ideato North South Federal Constituency (PDP, Imo), has strongly refuted claims that a legitimate Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) congress took place in Rivers State over the weekend.

According to Ugochinyere, the event was not an official party congress but rather a gathering organised by the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister, Nyesom Wike, under the guise of a PDP congress.

The controversy unfolded as PDP state congresses were conducted across various states, including Rivers, Benue, Katsina, and Kogi.

These congresses were marked by widespread discontent and complaints, with several party factions alleging irregularities and procedural violations.

In Rivers State, tensions escalated further due to the ongoing legal dispute over the conduct of the congress.

Despite a court order prohibiting the PDP from proceeding with the congress in the state, the event allegedly went ahead, sparking a rift between the party’s National Working Committee (NWC) and the PDP Governors Forum.

The discord revolves around the leadership of the party in Rivers State. The PDP Governors Forum has maintained that Governor Siminalayi Fubara should remain the recognised leader of the party in the state.

In contrast, Wike and his faction are asserting control over the party’s structure following the disputed congress, which was notably boycotted by Governor Fubara and his supporters.

Ugochinyere, who also serves as the spokesperson for the G-60 federal lawmakers in the House of Representatives, criticised the purported congress led by Wike, describing it as a “laughable jamboree” rather than a legitimate political gathering.

In a statement released on Saturday, Ugochinyere argued that Wike’s actions were driven by desperation to retain support amid waning confidence from his followers.

The lawmaker emphasised that no official PDP congress had been held in Rivers State, pointing out that Wike had simply organised a social event and labelled it as a congress to maintain appearances.

“Nyesom Wike, out of desperation to look good before his dwindling followers who are losing confidence in him, held an owambe party and called it a state congress,” Ugochinyere stated.

He further highlighted that the gathering was in direct violation of an interim order issued by the Rivers State High Court in July, presided over by Justice Charles Wali, which explicitly barred the PDP from conducting congresses in the state.

Ugochinyere expressed his disapproval of Wike’s actions, describing the event as an exercise in futility.

He criticised the minister’s defiance of the court order, stating that any gathering under the guise of a congress was merely a “family or kindred meeting” that lacked legal standing.

“The court decision was clear, and the congress was stopped from holding,” Ugochinyere noted.

“So, if people out of desperation gather to hold a family meeting from their hideout under the guise of a congress, you can only but pity and laugh at their political frolicking caused by joblessness and a desperate quest for power.”

He also condemned the involvement of PDP members who were reportedly collaborating with the All Progressives Congress (APC) to legitimise the disputed event.

Ugochinyere labelled the purported congress as a nullity and insisted that it would inevitably be set aside due to the existing court order.

“Defying court orders, some members of PDP hobnobbing with the APC reportedly made an attempt to pass off some family gatherings of their faction as a PDP congress,” he explained.

“The purported congress is a nullity and an exercise in futility as there is still an existing valid order against any conduct of a congress in Rivers, and in view of that, the purported congress will be set aside as you can’t put something on nothing.”

As the controversy continues, Ugochinyere’s comments underscore the ongoing power struggle within the PDP in Rivers State and highlight the legal complexities surrounding the party’s internal processes.

The situation raises broader questions about the rule of law and the integrity of political activities within the state, emphasising the need for adherence to judicial directives and transparent party governance.