Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, affirmed that the National Working Committee, NWC of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP has disputed the purportedly altered list of Caretaker Committee members circulating on social media and appearing in certain national newspapers on Thursday.
Governor Fubara, as conveyed by his Chief Press Secretary, Nelson Chukwudi, clarified this stance following a session with the NWC at the PDP National Secretariat, Wadata Plaza, Abuja, on Thursday evening.
The Governor reiterated that the resolutions from a prior meeting involving the NWC, the Board of Trustees, and the PDP Governors’ Forum in Abuja in March remain unchanged.
He further emphasized the party’s stance that the executive officers, whose tenures ended in March, will continue in their respective roles until the NWC-approved three-month extension period expires and new congresses are conducted.
Governor Fubara recalled a letter from the National Organising Secretary, Umar Bature, dated March 27, 2024, addressed to the Rivers State Caretaker Committee Chairman, Hon Aaron Chukwuemeka. The letter had clarified the authentic members of the Caretaker Committees at various levels in Rivers State.
He said the letter had in copy the Acting National Chairman, Umar Damagum; Deputy National Chairman, South, Taofeek Arapaja; himself; the National Secretary of the party, Senator Samuel Anyanwu; and the National Legal Adviser, Ajibade Adeyemi, SAN.
He quoted the letter as saying, “following the expiration of the elected Ward, LGA, and State Executive Members in Rivers State, the National Working Committee, under the provisions of Section 29 (2) (b) of the Constitution of our Party, has, on behalf of the National Executive Committee approved the appointment of the expired Excos as Caretaker Committee Members.
“For the avoidance of doubt, attached to this letter is the authentic list of the Caretaker Committee Members in Rivers State. These Caretaker Committees shall run the affairs of our Party at their appropriate levels for a period of three (3) months effective from the dates of their expiration, i.e. March 14, 18, 21, 2024 for Wards, LGA, and State, respectively.
“Please note that the NWC equally approved that anywhere vacancies have occurred due to death, removal, resignation, or defection, such vacancies shall not be filled.
“While thanking you for your continuous commitment, please accept the assurances of the NWC’s highest regards”.
Governor Fubara stressed that the party remains committed to the agreement outlined in the letter and warned against any attempts to change the agreed positions.
He dismissed the circulated list as fabricated and advised those affected to disregard it completely. He clarified that the party did not remove or replace the names of officers whose tenures were extended for three months, pending possible ratification by the National Executive Committee on April 18.
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Governor Fubara condemned the circulated list as a deliberate attempt to cause discord within the party, orchestrated by politicians using public funds to stir unnecessary tension and distract the government from its governance duties.
He urged the affected party officers to remain calm and continue their legitimate duties while warning troublemakers to desist from causing confusion and disunity or face severe consequences.
He also cautioned those listed as Caretaker Committee members against impersonation, stating that anyone caught would face legal consequences for forgery and impersonation.
