The Acting Executive Committee of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Rivers State has pledged to conduct a thorough investigation into allegations of anti-party activities by its members in the state.
The committee announced plans to set up a disciplinary panel in the near future, stressing that it will not hesitate to impose sanctions, including suspensions or expulsion, regardless of an individual’s position or influence within the party.
The investigation will focus on actions taken by members during the 2023 general elections.
This stance was shared during a press briefing attended by acting executives from both the state and local government levels.
Acting State Chairman, Robinson Nname-Ewor, said, “Under our leadership, we shall immediately commence steps toward healing and rebuilding our once-great Party, which was battered, with hope lost across the State, 23 Local Government Areas, and 319 electoral wards. We shall make the PDP Rivers State Chapter great again.
He said, “To achieve this, we shall consult all critical stakeholders of the Party, unite members, and work with them to restore the already lost hope. We shall embark on a sensitization tour across the 23 LGAs and initiate a membership drive to boost the Party’s population for future elections.
“In the coming days, we shall also set up a “Disciplinary Committee” to address issues of anti-party activities, particularly during the 2023 General Elections and beyond, and any other activities by members that could bring the Party into disrepute.
“Those found wanting shall be appropriately disciplined, including but not limited to suspension, dismissal, and sanctions recognized by the Party. ”
The Acting Executive outlined specific conditions for the continued existence of the PDP in Rivers State.
One of the key conditions is that the PDP’s National Leadership must fully reinstate the party’s leadership in the state under Governor Siminalayi Fubara.
Additionally, the Acting Executive, led by Robinson Nname-Ewor, must be recognised as the legitimate leadership of the party following the sack of the Aaron Chukeuemeka-led executive by a State High Court.
“Recall that a Rivers State High Court, on January 13, 2025, sacked the Chukwuemeka Aaron-led purported State Executive Committee of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Rivers State Chapter, alongside the Ward and Local Government Executive Committees of the Party”
“The Congresses that produced Aaron Chukwuemeka were in contravention of a High Court order directing that no Congresses be held in the state until the substantive issues are resolved”
“Following this, the original State Executive Committee of the Party, whose tenure ended in June/July 2024, has, in a well-publicized press conference held on January 15, 2025, assumed leadership of the Party in an acting capacity”
“The State Executive Committee is now being led by me, High Chief Nname Robinson Ewor, as Acting Chairman, and Field Nkor as Acting Secretary, alongside other members”
“We are pleased to inform you that a copy of the judgment has been duly transmitted to the Party’s National Secretariat, and our assumption of office as Acting State and Local Government Executives has been communicated while we await further developments”.
The Acting Executive had initially planned to take over the PDP State Secretariat at 23 Aba Road on Thursday.
However, during a media briefing, the Acting Chairman announced that the plan had been suspended to prevent any potential crisis in the state.
He said, “In a very recent development, security agencies, aware of our position to reclaim the Party Secretariat, have advised that we halt the process to maintain peace. They are currently at the Party Secretariat to prevent a possible breakdown of law and order”
Gentlemen of the press, it is on this note, and in line with the peaceful disposition of the Leader of the Party in the State, His Excellency, Sir Dr. Siminalayi Fubara, GSSRS, to issues of this nature, which has earned him several accolades, that we have resolved to allow good reasoning to prevail and call off the planned takeover of the PDP State Secretariat today”
“We also appeal to our teeming supporters and party faithful to remain calm as we take necessary steps to assume control of our Party Secretariat”.