Acting Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in Rivers State, Robinson Ewor, said his leadership will commence steps towards rebuilding the party.
Ewor stated this on Thursday in Port Harcourt while addressing journalists, following the sack of the Aaron Chukwuemeka-led State Executive Committee, SEC, by a Rivers State High Court.
He said: “Recall that a Rivers State High Court, on January 13 sacked the Chukwuemeka-led purported State Executive Committee of the PDP, Rivers State Chapter, alongside ward and local government executive committees of the party.
“The congresses that produced Chukwuemeka were in contravention of a High Court order directing that no congresses be held in the state until the substantive issues are resolved.
“Following this, the original State Executive Committee, whose tenure ended in June/July 2024, had, in a well-publicised press conference held on January 15, assumed leadership of the party in an acting capacity. The State Executive Committee is now being led by High Chief Ewor and Dr Field Nkor as Acting Secretary, alongside other members.
“We are pleased to inform you that a copy of the judgement has been duly transmitted to the party’s national secretariat, and our assumption of office has been communicated while we await further developments.
“In a very recent development, security agencies, aware of our position to reclaim the party secretariat, have advised that we halt the process to maintain peace. They are currently at the secretariat to prevent a possible breakdown of law and order.
“Gentlemen of the press, it is on this note and in line with the peaceful disposition of the leader of the party, Governor Siminalayi Fubara, to issues of this nature, which has earned him several accolades, that we have resolved to allow good reasoning to prevail and call off the planned takeover of the secretariat today.
“We also appeal to our supporters and party faithful to remain calm, as we take the necessary steps to assume control of our secretariat.
“Under our leadership, we shall immediately commence steps toward healing and rebuilding our once-great party, which was battered, with hope lost across the state, 23 local government areas and 319 electoral wards. We shall make the PDP great again.
“To achieve this, we shall consult all critical stakeholders, unite members and work with them to restore the already lost hope. We shall embark on a sensitisation tour and initiate a membership drive to boost its population for future elections.
“In the coming days, we shall also set up a Disciplinary Committee to address anti-party activities, particularly during the 2023 general elections and beyond, and any other activities by members that could bring the party into disrepute.”
