Chairman of the Board of Trustees (BoT) of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Senator Adolphus Wabara, has expressed deep concern over the potential loss of Rivers State, emphasizing that such a development would signal a significant threat to the future of Nigeria.
This statement came during a visit to Governor Siminalayi Fubara at the Government House in Port Harcourt on Tuesday.
Senator Wabara, leading a delegation of PDP BoT members, highlighted the critical importance of maintaining Rivers State as a stronghold for the party amidst growing political tensions and speculations.
“We were scared, sir, when we heard or read speculations, perceptions, or what have you, that the party, if we are not careful, might lose Rivers State. Of course, if we lose Rivers State, Nigeria has lost its future,” Wabara declared.
The BoT chairman’s visit was aimed at fostering peace and unity within the party, which has faced internal challenges in the state in recent times. He noted the concerns raised by various reports and rumors about Governor Fubara’s potential defection from the PDP, stressing the need to hear directly from the governor to dispel these fears.
“We, the Board of Trustees of this party, came here in search of peace and unity of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). We have been reading all kinds of things on the pages of newspapers and the Internet, for those who are Internet savvy. But, we, as elders of this great party, decided to come to hear from the horse’s mouth,” Wabara stated.
Governor Fubara, responding to the BoT delegation, reaffirmed his commitment to the PDP, putting an end to weeks of speculation regarding his political allegiance. He acknowledged that the visit from the BoT had strengthened his resolve to remain with the party, despite the challenges.
“Honestly speaking, if I was having any doubt about my membership first, of this great party, I think today, I have gotten a reconfirmation that I am still, not minding the drama around, a member of this party,” Fubara said.
He also expressed his appreciation for the BoT’s efforts to ensure the unity and stability of the party, highlighting the presence of key PDP figures like Chief Bode George, Senator Ahmed Makarfi, and Dr. Okwesilieze Nwodo among the delegation.
Senator Wabara further commended Governor Fubara for his resilience and patience during the political crisis that has engulfed the state, emphasizing that the BoT, as the conscience of the party, is committed to upholding the rule of law and supporting the governor in his leadership.
“We don’t want what happened in 2015, and 2023 to repeat itself,” Wabara cautioned, underscoring the importance of preventing any further division within the party that could jeopardize its position in Rivers State and, by extension, the nation’s political landscape.
The visit by the PDP BoT to Rivers State is seen as a significant step in addressing the internal challenges facing the party, as it seeks to consolidate its influence in a state that has long been a pivotal base for the PDP.