Dan Ulasi, a former Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Anambra State, has called on the PDP Governors Forum to address the ongoing conflict between Governor Sim Fubara of Rivers State, and Nyesom Wike, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT). Ulasi believes the party should have prioritized a meeting with Wike before engaging with Fubara to resolve the issue.
Ulasi emphasized that Wike played a significant role in Fubara’s ascent to the governorship, arguing that it would have been prudent for the PDP to first consult with Wike regarding the dispute. Wike has recently made headlines by threatening to take action against any governor who attempts to wrest control of the Rivers State political structure from him. This threat was issued during the PDP’s congress held in Port Harcourt over the past weekend.
In his remarks, Ulasi noted that the conflict in Rivers State began during the party primaries and has since intensified. He pointed out that traditionally, the governor of a state is seen as the leader of the party in that state, a role that Wike held during his tenure as governor. According to Ulasi, the PDP National Working Committee (NWC) is responsible for determining the party’s leadership structure, as the party’s constitution does not explicitly define this role.
Ulasi criticized the current handling of the situation, suggesting that the PDP governors should have first met with Wike to understand his concerns before reaching out to their colleague, Fubara. He argued that resolving the dispute would require careful negotiation and respect for the political influence Wike has, given his pivotal role in Fubara’s political career.
Furthermore, Ulasi highlighted the broader implications of the crisis, noting that it reflects deeper issues within the PDP. He stressed that addressing such conflicts requires a strategic approach and a willingness to engage with all key stakeholders involved. By doing so, the PDP could better manage internal disagreements and maintain unity within the party.
