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Reps Minority Leadership Crisis: PDP NWC Summons Elumelu, Oke, Ikpeazu, Others …Berates Gbajabiamila’s Imposition Plot …I’m Not Surprised By The Treachery -Wike
The National Working Committee (NWC) of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in its 473rd meeting, yesterday, resolved to summon Hon. Ndudi Elumelu to a crucial meeting tomorrow at the party’s national secretariat, Abuja.
Other invited members are Hon. Wole Oke, Hon. Lynda Ikpeazu, Hon. Anayo Edwin, Hon. Gideon Gwadi, Hon. Toby Okechukwu and Hon. Adekoya Abdul-Majid.
PDP spokesman, Kola Ologbondiyan, who disclosed this development in a statement, said it was in line with the provisions of Chapter 10 (57)(3) of the Constitution of the PDP.
The members, according to Ologbondiyan, would appear before the members of the National Working Committee at 10 am.
Meanwhile, the PDP and the Rivers State Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike, have rejected the alleged attempt by the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila to impose leaders on the party in the House of Representatives.
The PDP also explained that the party had duly written to the Speaker after consultation with other minority members in the parliament, notifying him of members that have been selected for leadership in line with dictates of the rules and parliamentary practice.
The party spokesman, Kola Ologbondiyan said this while briefing newsmen in Abuja.
Ologbondiyan affirmed that the opposition party was dismayed that the Speaker attempted to smuggle in names other than those recognised and forwarded to him as the leaders of the minority in the lower chamber.
He added, “The PDP, in the strongest terms, cautions against this abuse of rules, parliamentary practices and procedures as well as the convention and we urge the speaker to respect the rules and read the list submitted to him by the leadership of the PDP.
“For the avoidance of doubt, the list forwarded to the Speaker by the PDP is as follows: Hon. Kingsley Chinda – Minority Leader, Hon. Chukwuka Onyema- Deputy Minority Leader, Hon. Yakubu Barde – Minority Whip, Hon. Muraina Ajibola – Deputy Minority Whip”.
Also reacting to the move, the Rivers State Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike said that he was not surprised by what happened at the House of Representatives, stating that trading has been placed above party loyalty at the House.
Speaking during a courtesy visit by the Governor of Oyo State, Oluseyi Makinde, at the Government House, Port Harcourt, yesterday, Wike stated that he was purely a party loyalist who believes in the ideals of the PDP.
He said: “I am not surprised. When you have traders and merchants, what do you expect?
“It is unfortunate for those who do not understand what politics is all about. I am a core party man. I believe in the party”.
Wike said that peer review was necessary to advance the course of development across the states of the federation.
“I am happy for this visit. We shall reciprocate the visit at the appropriate time. It is good for us to continue to compare notes to learn best practices from each other”, he said.
He expressed confidence in the ability of the Oyo State Governor to move the state forward and entrench development.
Earlier, the Oyo State Governor had said that what happened at the House of Representatives where the position of the PDP was subverted calls for concern.
“We all saw what happened at the National Assembly, yesterday (Wednesday), they are things that calls for concern. If the party takes a position on certain things, we want to ensure that, it is carried through”, he said.
He added that he was in Rivers State to also discuss issues of true federalism and the role of states in the development process.
Makinde commended the Rivers State Governor for his developmental strides during his first term, saying that he expects him to deliver more projects for the people.
Meanwhile, the House of the Representatives, yesterday, resolved to set up an ad-hoc committee to investigate the rowdy session and attempt by some members to grab the mace during plenary, last Wednesday.
This was sequel to a matter of privilege raised by Rep. Benjamin Kalu (APC-Abia) at the plenary, yesterday.
Earlier, Kalu had said that it was disappointing to see ranking members engage in a struggle to displace the mace during sitting.
He alleged that Rep. Gogo Bright (PDP-Rivers) carried the mace from the upper bracket, and put it on the lower bracket during plenary which was not supposed to be so.
The Tide gathered that the rowdy session was triggered by the Speaker’s refusal to respect the PDP’s choice for the Minority Leader of the House, which had nominated Hon Kingsley Chinda (PDP-Rivers) in the party’s official letter to Gbajabiamila.
But instead of announcing the PDP’s choice, the Speaker announced Hon Ndudi Elumelu (Delta-PDP) as House Minority Leader.
Kalu said that he was a new member, who joined the National Assembly with a patriotic zeal to contribute to nation building, saying that the event breached his privileges.
He urged the House to set up the committee to investigate the matter to forestall future reoccurrences.
In his ruling, the Speaker of the House, Femi Gbajabiamila (APC-Lagos) agreed that the scene created by some members breached the collective privileges of the House.
Gbajabiamila said an ad-hoc committee would be constituted to look into the matter.
The Speaker also named the principal officers from the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
They are Hon. Alhassan Ado Doguwa (Kano) as House Leader; Peter Akpatason (Edo) as Deputy House Leader; Hon. Tahir Mohammed Monguno (Borno) as Chief Whip; and Nkiruika Onyejeocha (Abia) as Deputy Chief Whip.
Gbajabiamila, while making the announcement, said the constitution of the leadership of the House was in line with Order 7 Rule 4 which states that the leadership of the House should be nominated from members of the House.
Wrapping up the announcement, he said: “According to the rules of the House, the leadership of the House has now been legally constituted.”
Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, yesterday extended interim relief measures to the people of Bille Kingdom as the government intensifies efforts to address the ongoing environmental degradation affecting the area.
This was contained in a statement by the Head of Information and Public Relations Unit, Office of the Secretary to the State Government, Juliana Masi, yesterday.
The governor, during a working visit to Bille Kingdom in Degema Local Government Area, reassured residents of his deep concern for their health and well-being.
He reiterated his administration’s commitment to finding a lasting solution to the persistent gas emissions observed in the community’s land and water sources since November 2025.
Represented by the Secretary to the State Government, Dagogo Wokoma, the governor announced immediate interventions to address urgent needs.
Some of the relief measures include the provision of potable water and essential medical services through the release of ?100 million as palliative support for the affected community.
According to the SSG, “Governor Fubara remains deeply committed to the welfare of the people of Bille Kingdom. Although unable to attend in person due to pressing state engagements, he is fully aware of the situation and determined to tackle the root cause of the environmental challenge”.
The governor assured residents that the state government would not relent in its efforts to provide a permanent solution to the gas emissions, emphasizing that the current intervention is only a temporary measure to ease the suffering of the people.
He further urged members of the community to remain law-abiding and continue supporting his administration, noting that he has consistently demonstrated a track record of fulfilling his promises.
Earlier, the Chairman, Council of Chief for Bille Kingdom, Chief Bennet Dokubo, expressed joy over the State visit, describing Fubara as a leader who listens to the plight of the people.
He urged the governor to critically look into the gas emission which he described as dangerous to human health.
“If we take you into the river, we notice that the entire environment is bubbling and smelling.
“We most humbly urge you to critically look into this situation. This is something strange we have never experienced before. It is not good for human health,” the monarch stressed.
The Federal Government has declared tomorrow (Friday) and Monday, April 6, 2026, as public holidays to mark this year’s Easter celebration.
Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, made the declaration on behalf of the Federal Government through a statement signed by the Permanent Secretary in the ministry, Dr Magdalene Ajani.
The ministe congratulated all Christians in Nigeria and in the diaspora on the joyous occasion of Easter, and urged Nigerians to imbibe the virtues of selflessness, forgiveness, forbearance and love as exemplified by the life and teachings of Jesus Christ.
He reiterated that the goal of the government remains to make decisions that would bring about national rebirth, economic growth, and shared prosperity.
The Tide reports that good Friday will be marked tomorrow, while the Easter Sunday will be celebrated on Sunday across the world.
Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has charged the newly appointed Secretary to the State Government (SSG) and Chief of Staff (CoS) to carry out their duties with discipline, loyalty and a firm commitment to the success of the administration and the wellbeing of the people of Rivers State.
The governor warned that any involvement in unauthorised nocturnal meetings or any conduct capable of embarrassing the government will attract immediate dismissal.
Fubara gave the warning yesterday shortly after the newly appointed Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Dr Dagogo S.A. Wokoma and the new Chief of Staff (CoS), Barrister Sunny Ewule, were sworn in at the Executive Council Chambers of Government House, Port Harcourt.
As part of the ceremony, the Chief Registrar of the State High Court, David Ihua-Maduenyi administered the Oath of Allegiance and Oath of Office on the duo before the governor gave his charge.
Addressing the appointees, Fubara reminded them that their elevation to the new positions was a call to service and not a platform for political grandstanding or the pursuit of personal ambition.
He stressed that their foremost responsibility should be to themselves and to the people of Rivers State, stressing that their conduct must always reflect integrity, restraint and dedication to public good.
Speaking directly to Dr. Wokoma, whom he described as an accomplished academic and mathematician, the governor expressed confidence in his intellectual depth and capacity to deliver on the new assignment.
The office of the Secretary to the State Government, Fubara stressed, demands thoroughness, discipline and a deep sense of responsibility. He charged the SSG to represent the State with honour at all times.
“Your duty includes representing the state government. You need to represent us in a way and manner that will bring honour to us.
“What is important to this administration is to see that the good works that we started and the ones that we met, are concluded in a way that will bring progress and development to our dear state,” he stated.
Turning to the new Chief of Staff, the governor explained that he is expected to ensure smooth administrative coordination, managing official engagements effectively and safeguarding the image of the Government House.
He underscored the sensitive and personal nature of the role and emphasised that the position operates strictly under the authority of the governor.
Fubara stressed that the role does not permit independent political engagements or private strategy meetings without his knowledge and consent.
“Let me sound it here very clearly. Your duty is to make sure that you handle the administrative duties and image making roles perfectly well, liaising with whoever is coming for any official assignment here.
“If you involve yourself in nocturnal meetings and all those things, I will sack you. I’m very serious. What is important to me today is peace, progress and prosperity of this state. I’m not going to compromise anything for it,” he said.
The governor cautioned that involvement of the new appointees in any action capable of bringing the government or his office to disrepute would attract appropriate sanctions.
While congratulating the new appointees, Fubara expressed optimism that they would justify the confidence reposed in them.
He called on all public officials to work together in unity, observing that collective success is stronger and more enduring than individual achievement.
The governor who also addressed the Permanent Secretaries present at the ceremony, directed those of them who have reached retirement age to start preparing their handover notes without delay.
The notice, he said, was not intended to scare anybody but to prepare their minds towards the inevitability of exiting the service one day and to pave way for an orderly transition.
He warned against any attempt to engage in financial misconduct or last-minute irregularities, stressing that he was closely monitoring the system to ensure strict enforcement of accountability rules.