Jerry Omatsogunwa, Special Assistant to the Rivers State Governor on Electronic Media, has urged the National Working Committee (NWC) of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to officially recognize Governor Siminalayi Fubara as the leader of the party in the state. Omatsogunwa emphasized that the NWC must address the ongoing contention between Fubara and former Governor Nyesom Wike over the party's leadership in Rivers.
Omatsogunwa pointed out that, since Nigeria's return to democracy in 1999, it has been customary for the sitting governor to also serve as the leader of the ruling party in the state. He questioned why Fubara's case should be different and warned that if the situation is not rectified, Fubara might consider leaving the party.
He noted that previous governors of Rivers State, including Dr. Peter Odili, Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi, and Nyesom Wike, were all recognized as both the political and party leaders during their tenures. Omatsogunwa stressed the need for the NWC to address this issue promptly, warning that failure to do so could result in a loss for the PDP in Rivers State, similar to what happened to the All Progressives Congress (APC) in 2019 when they disregarded a court order.
Omatsogunwa urged the PDP to avoid making the same mistake and ensure that Fubara is given the party's leadership structure to maintain the party's strength in Rivers State. He highlighted that the court had issued an order against holding ward and local government congresses, which some party members reportedly defied, and expr