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Police takes over River State PDP secretariat over Wike, Fubara clash
Operatives of the River State Police command on Thursday, took over the secretariat of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP following escalation of the feud between the camps loyal to former governor Nyesom Wike who is now Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT and his estranged political son, Governor Siminalayi Fubara.
The police action followed alleged moves by both the Aaron Chukwuemeka-led executive loyal to Wike, and the Robinson Ewor-led executive loyal to Governor Fubara to resume at the party secretariat.
On Monday, January 13, 2024, the state High Court presided over by Justice Stephen Jumbo, in a ruling on interlocutory injunction sought by Edwin Woko and three others, restrained Chukwuemeka and others from parading themselves as executive members of the PDP in the state.
Woko and three others, all PDP members, challenged the congresses that produced Chukwuemeka’s executive committee, arguing that the congresses conducted between July and August 2024 violated an existing court order, rendering it illegal.
A state High Court presided over by Justice Charles Wali, on July 20, 2024, stopped the PDP from going ahead with the congresses, but in defiance, the Wike-led faction of the party held the congresses on July 27, August 10, and August 31, without Fubara’s faction participation.
There have been crises in the state since October 2023 after a move by the lawmakers loyal to Wike to impeach Fubara failed.
Following the court ruling, the Ewor-led caretaker executive committee loyal to Fubara was announced and was set to assume office on Thursday.
Our correspondent who visited the party secretariat reported that while a team of heavily armed anti-riot police stationed at the PDP office with several police vans, Chukwuemeka managed to enter the secretariat, claiming he remained the party’s authentic chairman in the state.
The security operatives blocked both ends of the road leading to the secretariat, leading to a temporary traffic snarl when the correspondent visited.
Briefing newsmen, Ewor, who announced his faction would take over the party secretariat on Thursday, said he would not force himself into the party secretariat, adding that he was interested in a peaceful atmosphere in the state.
He said the security agencies advised the party to shelve its plans to take over the secretariat, as they were already on the ground to prevent any potential violence.
He called on the national leadership to recognise Fubara as the party’s leader in the state and to work with the new leadership at the state, local government, and ward levels.
He, however, vowed to suspend members found wanting for anti-party activities during the 2023 elections.
Ewor was making a veiled reference to Wike, who supported President Bola Tinubu, then-presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress, against his party’s presidential standard-bearer and former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar.
He appealed to party supporters and faithful to remain calm, assuring them that the party was taking necessary steps to take possession of the secretariat.
“We shall, also in the next few days, set up a disciplinary committee to deal with issues of anti-party activities, especially during the 2023 general election and beyond and every other activity by party members which are capable of bringing the party to disrepute.
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“Those who are found wanting shall be disciplined appropriately, including but not limited to suspension, sacking and other sanctions known to the party constitution.
“The party is supreme. We shall uphold the supremacy of the party. We shall implement the manifestoes of the party and constitution,” he said.
In a separate news briefing at the party secretariat, Chukwuemeka insisted that his executive was duly elected.
“This morning, I deemed it fit that we will address a press conference so that everyone will be aware of what we are doing in PDP Rivers State.
“I want to say that here we are today is the state secretariat of the PDP in Rivers, ably led by myself, Chukwuemeka Aaron, as the state chairman of this party.
“I was duly elected, all the excos that were elected with me are here seated. We started as a caretaker committee of our party and we were saddled with the responsibility of conducting a fresh election to usher in a duly elected state, local government and ward executives.”
Chukwuemeka debunked claims that he defected to the APC, saying he remained a member of the PDP.
He added, “I have worked for this party since 1999, and I have served in various capacities, including local government party secretary, LG party chairman, deputy state chairman, and now state chairman.
“I have never defected from the PDP, and I remain committed to the party’s ideals and values.”
On the recent court ruling that nullified his emergence as state chairman, he described the judgment as “not executory,” saying he would appeal it.
Chukwuemeka called on the governor to allow peace to reign in the state.
“This is my office, we have taken possession and we cannot leave here.
“Whatever court judgment they have gotten, we are going to appeal it. We will follow due processes and ensure that there is peace and order in the state.
“We need peace in Rivers State and we cannot continue to file one litigation after another. We are peace-loving and law-abiding citizens, and we will not be intimidated by those who seek to undermine our party,” he said.
When contacted, the spokesperson of the state police command, Grace Iringe-Koko, said she was in a meeting and promised to revert.
She had, however, yet to do so at the time of filing this report.
Dennis Naku
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….The Commission wants IGP to address use of excessive force by police
The Executive Secretary of the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), Dr. Tony Ojukwu OFR, SAN, has strongly condemned the alleged extrajudicial killing of a 28-year-old Nigerian, Mene Ogidi, by a police officer, ASP Nuhu Usman, on April 26, 2026, in Efurun, Uvwie Local Government Area of Delta State.
In a statement issued in Abuja, Dr. Ojukwu described the incident as “deeply disturbing and a direct assault on human dignity, the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, and the rule of law.”
He stressed that no Nigerian should lose their life at the hands of those sworn to protect them, reiterating that every life matters and must be protected.
According to him, “the reported action of the officer involved is condemnable, unacceptable, and completely inconsistent with the principles of justice and a civilized society.”
The statement which was signed by Hajia Fatimah Agwai Mohammed, Director, Corporate Affairs and External Linkages, quoted Ojukwu to have expressed grave concern over the recurring incidents of excessive use of force by law enforcement officers and called on the Nigeria Police Force to take urgent and decisive steps to address the issue.
He specifically urged the police authorities to subject officers deployed on special duties to periodic mental and psychological evaluations to ensure they are fit to carry arms and engage with civilians responsibly.
Dr. Ojukwu further called for the immediate disciplinary action against ASP Nuhu Usman in line with extant laws and police regulations.
He also emphasized the need for the Nigeria Police Force to fully implement the recommendations of the Commission’s Panel on Police Brutality as a necessary step toward meaningful reform and prevention of future violations.
“The Commission demands immediate arrest and a transparent investigation into the incident, dismissal of the officer involved, and swift prosecution in accordance with the law.
We hereby call for adequate compensation and justice for the family of the victim,” he stated.
He warned that justice delayed only deepens public distrust in state institutions and undermines confidence in law enforcement.
The Executive Secretary assured that the NHRC will continue to monitor the case closely and will persist in its advocacy for accountability, justice, and the protection of the fundamental rights of all Nigerians.
“Nigeria must never normalize brutality. Justice must speak louder than silence,” he concluded.
The Supreme Court of Nigeria will on Thursday, deliver judgments in two cases involving the leadership crises rocking the African Democratic Congress and the Peoples Democratic Party.
According to information on the official website of the court, the matters, listed under “Political Appeals”, have been added to the cause list for Thursday, April 30, 2026.
While judgment in the ADC matter, marked SC/CV/180/2026, has been fixed for 2 pm, there is no time yet for that if the PDP.
President Bola Tinubu has written the Senate, seeking the screening and subsequent confirmation of fifteen nominees to the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC).
The letter was read by the President of the Senate, Senator Godswill Akpabio.
The letter seeks the reconstitution of the commission’s board in line with statutory provisions with the list comprising nominees from diverse professional backgrounds, including the media and legal sectors.
Among the nominees are the President, Nigeria Guild of Editors and Editor, Vanguard Newspapers, Mr. Eze Anaba; and Dr. Salamatu Hussaina Suleiman, who has been proposed as chairman of the board.
The Executive Secretary of the Commission, Dr. Anthony Ojukwu (SAN) is to retain his position as the Chief Executive Officer.
Other nominees include Mrs Roseline Tasha, Ambassador Adam Yubak Baku, ACG Felix Lawrence, Mr. Edmund Chinonye, Mr. Chinonye Obiaku (SAN), Oluwakemi Asiwaju Okere-Odo, Professor Adedeji Ogunji, Kingsley Chidozie, Mohammed Adelodu, Maupe Ogun Yusuf, and Otunba Francis Meshioye as members.
Also nominated are Patience Patrick and Hawwa Ibrahim, listed as members.
The President said the nominations were made pursuant to Section 2(3) of the National Human Rights Commission (Establishment) Act, 2010, which empowers him to constitute the board subject to Senate confirmation.
He explained that the reconstitution of the board was necessary to enhance the commission’s institutional capacity and enable it to more effectively discharge its mandate to promote and protect human rights across the country.
If confirmed, the new board is expected to play a critical role in reinforcing the NHRC’s oversight functions, particularly at a time of heightened concerns over rights protection and accountability in Nigeria.
Following the presentation of the request, the Senate referred the nominations to its Committee on Judiciary, Human Rights and Legal Matters for screening and report within two weeks.
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