New Crisis in Rivers as PDP Expels Councilor for Supporting Fubara

•More Wike’s supporters collapse structure for embattled governor

Chuks Okocha in Abuja

Fresh Crisis might be brewing in the Rivers State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) as the leadership of the party at the ward level, yesterday, expelled a former leader of the Obio/Akpor legislative council, Hon. Achor Nna.

Nna had earlier resigned  his position as councillor and declared support for Governor Siminalayi Fubara of the state. 

But another group of Wike’s supporters  in the Grassroots Democratic Initiatives (GDI) had collapsed their structure for the Rivers governor.

The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, had last year vowed that he would not allow anyone take the structures he built.

In the letter expelling Nna, titled: ‘RE: EXPULSION OF HON ACHOR NNA’ dated 9th March 2024 and signed by the PDP Ward 9 Chairman in Obio/Akpor LGA, Collins Chukwu, the ward accused the lawmaker of failing to defend himself from allegations of misconduct and misappropriation despite receiving multiple invitations asking him to defend himself.

The letter which reads: “The Ward 9 PDP executive under the able Chairmanship of Chukwu Collins Wobo, JP on the 10th day of February 2024 received from the Elioparanwo PDP chapter the suspension of Hon Achor Nna the former leader of OBIO/AKPOR LGA council legislative arm.

“In view of the above the chairman of Ward 9 acting in compliance with chapter 10, section 57 (1) of the party constitution set up a disciplinary committee purposely to ascertain the veracity of the allegations against Hon. Achor Nna.

“The disciplinary committee headed by Chief Solomon Chime Esq invited him (Achor Nna) severally and repeatedly to appear before the committee to defend himself of the grievous allegations (misappropriation of funds and misconduct) against him which invitations were utterly turned down.

“In view of this, the committee recommended that he (Hon Achor Nna) be expelled from the party and the fact that Hon Achor Nna was unable to defend himself, he was expelled from the party, we had no option but to take this decision as the ward cannot condole his unwarranted acts and indiscipline.

“So, the resignation of Hon Achor Nna from his position as the leader of OBIO AKPOR legislative council and as councillor Ward 9 didn’t come to us a surprise because he couldn’t defend himself from the allegations against him which led to his expulsion from the Party.

“Apparently, the political crisis in Rivers state is far from resolution as both sides continue jostling for control of the political structure in the state.”

Also, the Fubara camp got more support when a group of 12 men who were Local Government Coordinators of Grassroots Development Initiative (GDI), a political pressure group that was instrumental in the massive mobilisation at the grassroots for the FCT minister while contesting the governorship elections in Rivers State since 2015.

The coordinators represent Ogu/Bolo, Port Harcourt City, Opobo/Nkoro, Gokana, Bonny, Ahoada West, Ahoada East, Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni, Oyigbo, Asari-Toru, Akuku-Toru and Obio/Akpor local government area where the Wike comes from.