In the midst of escalating political tensions in Rivers State, the fallout from recent defections and legal battles has taken a new turn as a prominent youth political group within the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) has issued a scathing indictment against former Assembly Members and laid the blame squarely at the feet of the Honourable Minister of FCT, Ezemo Nyesom Wike.
The People’s Democratic Party National Solidarity Vanguard, representing the youth wing of the party, convened a press briefing in Abuja to express their discontent and to demand accountability from both the former legislators and Wike himself. Led by Executive Director Honourable Usman Saidu Calculus, the group minced no words in lambasting Wike for what they described as his role in causing havoc within the party ranks.
The genesis of this political maelstrom traces back to a recent High Court ruling that barred former Speaker of the Assembly, RT. Hon. Martin Amaewhule, and 24 other Assembly Members who defected from the PDP to the All Progressives Congress (APC) from holding their seats in the State House of Assembly.
Read Also: Diaspora Group Hails Tinubu’s Neutrality in Rivers State Crisis
At the heart of the PDP Vanguard’s grievances lies the assertion that Wike orchestrated these defections as part of a larger power struggle within the party, particularly in his feud with his successor, Siminalayi Fubara. They allege that Wike’s bitterness towards Fubara led him to sanction the defections, effectively ceding political ground to the APC in the state.
Moreover, the Vanguard alleges that Wike’s interference extended beyond intra-party disputes, accusing him of frustrating the presidential aspirations of Labour Party candidate Peter Obi, a move perceived to safeguard Wike’s own interests rather than those of the party or the electorate.
In their address to the press, the PDP Vanguard condemned the defections as a betrayal of the trust placed in the legislators by the electorate and painted them as pawns in Wike’s political machinations. They called for decisive action from the PDP leadership, urging the expulsion of Wike from the party ranks as a signal of intolerance towards self-serving political maneuvers.
Legal opinion, notably that of Femi Falana (SAN), echoed the sentiment that the defectors had forfeited their seats according to the law, further validating the stance taken by the PDP Vanguard.
The press briefing served as a rallying cry for party members and supporters alike, emphasizing the need for unity and adherence to the core principles of the PDP. It underscored the importance of holding party leaders accountable for their actions and reaffirmed the commitment of the PDP Youth Vanguard to upholding the party’s values.
As the political landscape in Rivers State continues to evolve, the ramifications of these events are likely to reverberate across party lines and influence the trajectory of future elections. The call for accountability within the PDP serves as a stark reminder of the inherent tensions between personal ambition and collective responsibility within political parties.
In conclusion, the PDP Youth Vanguard’s impassioned plea for justice and integrity signals a broader struggle for the soul of the party and the democratic process in Rivers State. Whether their demands will be met remains to be seen, but one thing is clear: the winds of change are blowing, and the political landscape of Rivers State hangs in the balance.