Growing political storm in Rivers State has taken a new turn as the Simplified Rivers Elders Forum (SIREF) expressed strong support for Acting National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Umar Damagum, who has called for a bye-election to fill 27 legislative seats in the Rivers State House of Assembly. The seats are currently embroiled in controversy following allegations of defection by lawmakers from the PDP to the opposition All Progressives Congress (APC).

Elders Denounce Defections and Call for Accountability
At a press conference in Port Harcourt, SIREF praised Damagum’s stance, emphasizing that the lawmakers, led by Speaker Martin Amaewhule, violated party principles when they allegedly aligned with the APC. Professor Solar Obianime, speaking on behalf of the group, stated, “We align ourselves with Amb. Umar Damagum’s call to fill these seats in line with constitutional provisions and the Electoral Act. A disciplined political party is critical for democracy to thrive.”

The crisis stems from a rift between the Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara and former Rivers State Governor Nyesom Wike, now the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory. The fallout led to accusations that the 27 legislators publicly defected to the APC and attempted to destabilize the state government, prompting legal battles to reclaim their seats.

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Obianime alleged that the lawmakers, in what he described as a “political coup,” plotted to impeach Governor Fubara before defecting. “Their actions were aimed at plunging Rivers State into chaos, but the governor’s steadfastness prevented anarchy,” he said. He also urged the Nigerian Police to investigate allegations that electoral materials from the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC) were smuggled out of the state under suspicious circumstances.

Pro-PDP Group Slams Governors, Party Leadership
Meanwhile, the PDP Collectives Forum (PCF), another pro-PDP faction, has criticized the party’s Governors Forum and National Working Committee (NWC) for failing to uphold the party’s integrity. In a scathing statement, PCF National Convener Michael Omini accused the PDP governors of prioritizing personal ambitions over the party’s future. “These governors are riding on a tiger’s back, and their self-serving decisions are eroding trust in the PDP,” the statement read.

The group also lamented the declining influence of the party’s founding principles, crediting figures like Atiku Abubakar, Sule Lamido, and Prof. Jerry Gana for preserving the PDP’s legacy. Omini warned that the current leadership’s actions risk turning the PDP into a weakened opposition incapable of challenging the ruling APC.

Widening Rift and Implications for Nigeria’s Democracy
SIREF and PCF’s criticism of the PDP’s handling of the Rivers State crisis underscores broader tensions within the party. The allegations of collusion between PDP leaders and the APC, coupled with internal power struggles, have raised concerns about the party’s role as a viable opposition in Nigeria’s democracy.

With Rivers State at the center of this political upheaval, the stakes are high not just for the PDP but for the future of multi-party democracy in the country. The coming months may prove decisive in shaping the political landscape, as both party elders and grassroots members rally to restore discipline and accountability.