A faction of the Peoples Democratic Party in Rivers State, aligned with Governor Siminalayi Fubara, has cautioned the state police command against showing bias in the ongoing party crisis. The group accused the embattled factional chairman, Aaron Chukwuemeka, of unlawfully occupying the party secretariat despite a court ruling nullifying the congresses that brought his executive into power.
The acting state chairman of the PDP faction loyal to Governor Fubara, Dr Robinson Ewhor, issued the warning in a statement sent to the media in Port Harcourt. The ongoing dispute led to a standoff at the state PDP secretariat, with both factions attempting to take control.
Chukwuemeka managed to access the secretariat under police protection, holding a press conference while armed policemen guarded the building. Dr Ewhor maintained that Chukwuemeka’s chairmanship was invalidated by a state High Court ruling, despite Chukwuemeka’s insistence that he was rightfully elected.
Ewhor labeled Chukwuemeka as an imposter and emphasized the court’s decision annulling the congresses conducted by Chukwuemeka’s group. He urged the police to remain impartial and uphold the rule of law in the political conflict.
Dr Ewhor called for calm among party members and warned against being incited by individuals he described as ‘political merchants’ seeking to disrupt peace in Rivers State. The state police command spokesperson, Grace Iringe-Koko, was unavailable for immediate comment.