A youth group within the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, under the banner of the Coalition of PDP Youth Defenders, CPYD, has accused Hon. Ikenga Imo Ugochinyere of misleading Rivers Governor Siminalayi Fubara and dragging the PDP into deepening crisis in the southern region and at the national level.
The group said Ugochinyere’s “self-serving commentary” have worsened the PDP’s internal affairs and contributed to the political turmoil in Rivers State, which led to the suspension of Governor Fubara and his deputy and the eventual declaration of a state of emergency by President Bola Tinubu.
The state is now under the control of a sole administrator, appointed to restore order and protect lives and property.
In a scathing statement on Thursday, Ibrahim Mohammed Salihu, President of CPYD, said the Imo federal lawmaker has become “a merchant of confusion” who deceives the PDP leadership with misleading claims and manipulative rhetoric.
“It is no longer speculation that Hon. Ugochinyere has been the one whispering false hope into the ears of Governor Fubara while steering him into avoidable confrontation. Today, Rivers State is under emergency rule, the PDP has lost grip, and the people are suffering — all because of one man’s obsession with being the face of rebellion,” he said.
Mr Salihu said Mr Ugochinyere played a key role in emboldening Governor Fubara to defy party elders and national leaders, including efforts by the PDP Governors’ Forum to mediate the crisis between the governor and his estranged political godfather, Nyesom Wike.
“When leaders were calling for caution and reconciliation, it was Ugochinyere who kept pushing Fubara to believe he was the new hero of anti-establishment politics,” Salihusaid.
“He fed the governor dangerous lies that led to institutional breakdown and refusal to obey an agreement entered into with Wike — which was supervised by the president. And now that the president has stepped in with an emergency proclamation, Ugochinyere is nowhere to be found.”
The group also accused Ugochinyere of working with a small clique of anti-party actors to disrupt the upcoming National Executive Committee, NEC, meeting of the PDP scheduled for May 27, using the ongoing tussle over the role of the acting National Secretary as a smokescreen.
“This is the same Ugochinyere who once claimed to defend party supremacy. Now, he’s undermining the party’s decisions and calling for the removal of leaders who don’t dance to his tune. He’s backing Setonji Koshoedo but not because he believes in due process — it’s just another chance to throw PDP into chaos ahead of NEC,” he said.
Mr Salihu said the CPYD is particularly disappointed that Ugochinyere has continued to mislead the public and the media about the circumstances surrounding the submission of PDP’s Anambra governorship candidate, despite INEC’s clear position on the matter.
“Ugochinyere talks about legality and recognition but conveniently omits the fact that both Senator Samuel Anyanwu and Ambassador Damagum jointly signed the submission of PDP’s candidate for the Anambra election. How then can he claim that Anyanwu has been removed when both signatures were accepted by INEC?” he queried.
The group called on the PDP leadership to move decisively against Ugochinyere and others who are allegedly working to destabilise the party from within, adding that they must not be allowed to continue misrepresenting the will of PDP members across the country.
“The time has come for the PDP to draw a line. Ugochinyere is not bigger than the party. His constant meddling in state affairs, his media stunts, and his divisive press statements are hurting the PDP’s unity and distracting us from building for 2027. He should either fall in line or be shown the door,” he added.
“The PDP must remain focused on its role as the main opposition party. Ugochinyere’s reckless outbursts and deception have already cost us Rivers. We must not let him destroy what’s left of our electoral fortunes.”
Mr Salihu warned other PDP members to resist the temptation to follow Ugochinyere’s “loud but empty” brand of activism, noting that the party is built on collective decision-making, not solo battles driven by ego and ambition.
“We must learn from Rivers. The lesson is that noise and rebellion do not equal leadership. Fubara listened to Ugochinyere and today he has lost power, legitimacy, and his mandate is in jeopardy. That is the real tragedy, and we must not let it spread.”
The CPYD reaffirmed its loyalty to the PDP, the constitution of the party, and the decisions of the National Working Committee.
The group urged party leaders to prioritise reconciliation and discipline as the party heads toward its NEC meeting and future elections.
