The political landscape in Rivers State witnessed a significant tremor as the state chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) took decisive action against its top official. The party has suspended the Chairman of its caretaker committee, Dr. Robinson Nname-Ewor, citing actions that threaten party unity.
A Swift Decision and New Leadership
This suspension was the key outcome of an emergency meeting held by the state caretaker committee on Friday, January 3, 2026. Committee members leveled serious accusations against Nname-Ewor, claiming he had aligned himself with an expelled member of the PDP and made public statements that directly contradicted the official stance of the party's leadership in Rivers State.
Addressing the press after the meeting, the committee's Secretary, Ogbam Ojima, who was immediately appointed as the Acting Chairman, presented the resolution. Ojima stated that through his conduct, Nname-Ewor had effectively "voluntarily resigned" from his position even before the formal suspension was enacted.
"This is a resolution of the caretaker committee of the PDP of Rivers State. After our meeting today, January 3, 2026, we resolved to disassociate ourselves completely from the statements and public utterances credited to Nname-Ewor," Ojima declared. He emphasized that the former chairman's views did not represent the collective position of the PDP in the state.
Reaffirming Stance on Wike and Party Loyalty
The committee used the occasion to reiterate its unwavering loyalty to the faction of the PDP led by Dr. Kabiru Turaki, whom they recognize as the National Chairman. Crucially, they reaffirmed the expulsion of the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, from the party.
"It is noteworthy to re-emphasise and remind the general public that Wike has already been expelled from our party and, as such, has no right to interfere in the affairs of the PDP," Acting Chairman Ojima stated firmly. He made it clear that any association or alignment with the former Rivers State governor is completely unacceptable to the PDP structure in Rivers.
Growing Calls for Wike's Exit and APC Pledges
The developments in Rivers PDP align with a broader narrative of discord involving Nyesom Wike. In a related incident, Umar Sani, a former Presidential Media Adviser, publicly accused the FCT Minister of deliberately destabilizing the PDP. Speaking in an interview on ARISE News on Saturday, Sani expressed a sentiment held by many party leaders.
"As far as we are concerned, we want him to leave. Let him go to the APC and see how we survive. We cannot harbour someone who is very destructive," Sani stated. He did, however, leave a door open for reconciliation, comparing a potential return to the story of the prodigal son.
Conversely, the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ahoada West Local Council of Rivers State displayed strong allegiance to Wike. During a "thank you" visit by the minister, the APC Chairman in the area, Mr. Rejoice Otobo, pledged that the party would follow his directives ahead of the 2027 general elections.
"We await instructions from you on the 2027 elections. Wherever you ask us to go, there we shall go; whatever you ask us to do is what we will do," Otobo assured Wike, citing the minister's developmental achievements in the area during his tenure as governor.
This complex web of suspensions, expulsions, and political pledges underscores the intense battle for influence in Rivers State, setting the stage for a highly contested political season leading up to 2027.
