The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Rivers State has named an interim leadership to manage its affairs following the High Court’s removal of Aaron Chukwuemeka as the state chairman.
On Monday, Justice Stephen Jumbo of the Rivers State High Court issued an interlocutory injunction restraining Chukwuemeka and his executive members from functioning as the PDP leadership in the state. The ruling was based on a suit filed by Edwin Woko and three other PDP members, who argued that the congresses that produced Chukwuemeka’s leadership violated a previous court order and were therefore illegal.
Justice Jumbo declared the ward, local government, and state congresses held on July 27, August 10, and August 31, 2024, invalid, citing their non-compliance with legal procedures. A prior ruling by Justice Charles Wali on July 20, 2024, had also halted the PDP from proceeding with the congresses.
Interim Leadership Announced
To address the resulting leadership vacuum and internal disputes, the PDP has appointed Nname Robinson Ewor, Chairman of the Governing Council of Captain Elechi Amadi Polytechnic and Rivers West Senatorial Vice Chairman, as acting state chairman.
In a statement on Wednesday, the PDP announced Ewor’s leadership alongside a newly constituted interim executive committee. The full list of interim executive members includes:
Nname Robinson Ewor – Acting State Chairman
Field Nkor – Acting State Secretary
William Fialaosika, Bellor Kingsley Waite, Sydney Gbara, Uranta Humphrey Clinton, Victor Pepple, Alom Austin Mba, Beauty Adokiye, Emily Solomon, Sunny Daniel, Sule Amakiri, Alalibo Graham Braide, Simon Hart, Ngozi Ogbonda, Constance Oruma, and Augusta Agwor – Members
Local Government Area (LGA) chairpersons also form part of the interim leadership, including:
Handsome Ekelechi Agile (Ahoada East)
Thompson Marcus (Ogu/Bolo)
Oba Fred (Okrika)
Christian Obene (Akulga)
Dennis Amadi (Ikwerre)
Nwuche Chukwuemeka (Ahoada West)
Wilcox Buruwi (Bonny)
Pepple Godwin (Opobo)
Monday Dumiye (Gokana)
Oduye Tom-West (Asalga)
Victor Ere (Andoni)
Princewill Ejikwe (Onelga)
Otamiri Ngubo (Etche)
Minikwu Uche (Emohua)
Political Allegiances
The dismissed state executive, led by Chukwuemeka, is known for its loyalty to Nyesom Wike, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
This development is expected to further deepen internal divisions within the PDP in Rivers State, as stakeholders align themselves with different factions in the ongoing power struggle.
