Police seal PDP secretariat in Rivers over leadership crisis

• Party in state accepts judgment 
The Rivers State Police command has taken control of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Secretariat over a brewing leadership crisis.

The Guardian, yesterday, sighted about four police vans stationed around the party secretariat along Aba-Port-Harcourt Express Road.

Also, personnel of the special squad of the tactical unit of the State Police Command were seen cordoning off the premises. The armed police personnel barricaded the secretariat and restricted movements within the area.

Consequently, the development caused serious gridlocks along Aba Road, forcing motorists and other road users to take alternative routes.

The police action followed a suspected fear of a deepening crisis in the PDP leadership in the state.

Recall that after the Rivers State High Court judgment nullified the ward, local council and state congresses, the PDP faction loyal to Governor Siminalayi Fubara led by Robinson Ewor announced that the judgment has returned the party structure to them.

However, the sacked PDP Chairman, Chukwuemeka Aaron, and his group argued that his faction was still in charge, saying that they were not a party to the court judgement that nullified the purported congresses.

The police explained that they are currently occupying the party secretariat to prevent a possible breakdown of law and order.

Addressing newsmen yesterday, Ewor disclosed that a copy of the judgment has been transmitted to the party’s national secretariat, adding that its assumption of office as Acting State and Local Council Executives has also been communicated to the national while they await further developments.

MEANWHILE, the PDP has accepted the judgment of the Rivers State High Court, which nullified the party’s ward, local council, and state congresses in the state.

Consequently, in line with the judgement of the court delivered on Monday, January 13, 2025, the party affirmed the Nname Robinson Ewor-led Rivers State Executive to henceforth pilot the affairs of the PDP Rivers State Chapter by the provisions of the Constitution of the PDP (as amended in 2017).

The National Publicity Secretary of the PDP, Debo Ologunagba, in a statement, said the PDP commended the decision of the court which reaffirmed the position of the party as the bastion of transparency in the due process of internal democracy and strict adherence to the rule of law and party guidelines in the conduct of congresses and other activities.

The party called on all leaders, critical stakeholders, members, and supporters in the state and the nation to work with the Ewor-led Rivers State Executive to ensure the PDP’s unity, stability, growth, and continuous success in Rivers State.