BoT Chair: Nigeria’s Future Bleak If PDP Loses Rivers, Fubara Assures Rivers Still PDP State

Senator Adolphus Wabara, Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Board of Trustees, predicts a bleak future for Nigeria if the PDP loses Rivers State.

Senator Wabara made the prediction on Tuesday while leading a delegation of the party’s Board of Trustees (BoTs) to pay a courtesy visit to Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara at the Government House in Port Harcourt.

Senator Wabara, speaking on behalf of the delegation, stated that the BOT had come to seek peace and unity among the PDP because they were afraid of losing Rivers State due to the ungodly tension that has recently threatened the PDP in the state.

A statement signed by Governor Fubara’s Chief Press Secretary, Nelson Chukwudi, quoted the BoT Chairman as saying, “We, the Board of Trustees of this party, came here in search of peace and unity of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

“We have been reading a variety of things in newspapers and on the Internet, for those who are tech-savvy. But, as the great party’s elders, we decided to come and hear it directly from the source.

“First and foremost, we want to thank you for continuing to attend because this party should not die. And it is for this reason that I am thanking you on behalf of my colleagues, who, as you can see, come from various geopolitical regions. We are well represented at the national level.

Senator Wabara emphasised: “We were scared, Sir, when we heard or read speculations, perceptions, or whatever, that the party, if we are not careful, will lose Rivers State. Of course, losing Rivers State means losing Nigeria’s future.

“We do not want what happened in 2015 and 2023 to repeat itself. The men and women you see here are extremely neutral. But as the party’s conscience, we must follow the rule of law. And, according to the rule of law, nothing you do can be wrong. “It may be delayed, but it cannot be incorrect,” he stated.

Senator Wabara acknowledged that Governor Fubara has demonstrated enormous care for the PDP, which is why he has been so patient with the party leadership’s inaction during the crisis.

He stated: “I do not want to describe it. Otherwise, as a Governor, we have former Governors here; I doubt they would have taken as much as you. So, on behalf of this party, I would like to thank you again for your tenacity, wisdom, and the fact that you are still a member.

“And I assure you that the Board of Trustees, under my leadership and with these serious-minded Nigerians, will deal with the matter in accordance with the Constitution,” he stated.

Senator Wabara, who spoke to reporters after meeting with the Governor and other PDP elders and leaders in the state, thanked Governor Fubara for giving them the opportunity to hear his side of the story, and expressed hope that the State’s political crisis would be resolved soon.

He assured that the delegation would meet with the other party involved in the crisis to hear their side of the story, saying, “there is always two sides to a coin,” and that it is better late than never.

Senator Wabara reiterated that the PDP, under his leadership as BOT Chairman, will not allow what happened in 2015 and 2023 to happen again, and will not stand by helplessly as the largest party in Africa is destroyed by a few individuals.

The Chairman emphasised that the BOT will make recommendations to the PDP’s National Working Committee (NWC) for implementation, keeping in mind that the party must be united to win the 2027 elections.

This came as Governor Sir Siminalayi Fubara urged Rivers residents and Nigerians to disregard rumours that he had left the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), insisting that Rivers is still a PDP-controlled state.

Governor Fubara did, however, admit that he had doubts about his membership in the PDP at one point, but that the visit from the BoT has strengthened his conviction that he is a member of the party.

He stated, “I would like to thank the Chairman and the members of the Board of Trustees. To be honest, if I had any doubts about my initial membership in this great party, I believe I have received confirmation today that I am still a member of this party, despite the drama surrounding it.

“And I want to sincerely thank you for going to Rivers State to meet with the Governor and the party’s supporters. I need to use that word sincerely because all of us here are undiluted members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

Governor Fubara added, “For once, I am happy to see the leaders, among whom are some founding fathers of the PDP, such as Chief Bode George, Senator Ahmed Makarfi, and Dr Okwesilieze Nwodo, joining the delegation here to talk about the party’s unity.”

He praised their courage, sacrifices, and foresight in sitting down and crafting the PDP Constitution, which they named, nurturing it to become what people know it to be, and greatly benefiting from it.

Governor Fubara stated: “It does not matter how many people watered it (PDP) and made it what it is. I am pleased that they have joined us today to discuss the Rivers State issue.

“I want to reassure members of our party, genuine PDP members who are here with us, that this is another opportunity to demonstrate that our decision to stand by the party, which we are still doing, was not a mistake.”

Governor Fubara stated that “the visit by the BoT delegation is for one purpose: to ascertain what is the problem that has caused so much dissatisfaction and has brought the party down. How did it begin, and how did it degenerate into what it is today.”

The Governor stated that in their efforts to find the truth, they must also understand how deeply he values information and the need to stay on the path of truth.

Governor Fubara stated, “I am well aware of the importance of information. I understand that a lot of information is flying around. But I also know that no matter what I have said, I have maintained my position.

“I said the same thing in Abuja and Port Harcourt. If I had any interactions with anyone in Lagos, I do not believe my story has changed. So, I am confident that when we meet in executive session, I will provide the board members who have visited us with my side of the story.”

Governor Fubara stated, “But, so far, what is important this afternoon is that we are still members of the party, and the party’s owners have paid us a visit.

“So, for those people outside who are spreading rumours and propaganda, at the very least, this visit will put those rumours to rest and tell the world that we are and will always be members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP),” he said.