The faction of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Rivers State loyal to Governor Siminalayi Fubara has cautioned the state police command against taking sides in the ongoing crisis rocking the party.
Henzodaily reports that the faction also accused embattled factional chairman Aaron Chukwuemeka of illegally occupying the party secretariat, despite a Rivers State High Court judgment nullifying the congresses that brought his executive into office.
The PDP state secretariat on Aba Road has remained barricaded by the police following attempts by both factions to assume control of the building.
Reports indicate that Chukwuemeka, under heavy police protection, held a press conference inside the secretariat on Tuesday, even as the acting state chairman loyal to Governor Fubara, Robinson Ewhor addressed the media from a separate location.
Ewhor maintained that Chukwuemeka is no longer the party chairman in the state, citing a judgment by Justice Stephen Jumbo of the Rivers State High Court, which sacked Chukwuemeka and his executive.
He described Chukwuemeka as an impostor, saying, “The attention of the Peoples Democratic Party, Rivers State chapter has been drawn to a press briefing hosted by one Aaron Chukwuemeka, an impostor claiming to be chairman of the PDP in the state.”
Ewhor further warned Chukwuemeka and his group to respect the court’s ruling and desist from occupying the secretariat or claiming legitimacy to the party’s leadership.
In contrast, Chukwuemeka argued that he was duly elected and referenced a Federal High Court judgment by Justice Peter Lifu, which he said validated the congresses that brought him into office.
He vowed to appeal the state High Court judgment, describing it as “kangaroo and not-executory.”
Ewhor expressed concern over the role of the police, accusing them of providing cover for Chukwuemeka’s faction despite the court ruling.
“We have noted with concern and disappointment that even when the court’s ruling is of public knowledge, the state police hierarchy still provided cover to such illegitimate so-called PDP executives to perpetrate their illegal acts,” he said.
He appealed to law enforcement agencies, including the Inspector-General of Police and the Rivers State Commissioner of Police, to remain apolitical and operate within the ambit of the law.
Ewhor urged party members and supporters to remain calm and avoid provocation from those he described as desperate “political merchants” seeking to cause mayhem.
“We appeal to our members to remain calm and refrain from being provoked by those trying hard to unleash mayhem on innocent law-abiding citizens of Rivers State,” he said.
As the crisis deepens, both factions appear entrenched, with the PDP secretariat continuing to serve as a flashpoint for the dispute.