According to an eyewitnesses, several members of the party from Rivers State had as early as 7 am arrived in Legacy House for the inaugural meeting, and to present their positions on the state of affairs in the party in the state.
Trouble reportedly began shortly after Wike arrived for the meeting and the party officials shut the door in the face of other invited stake holders.
One PDP leader from Rivers State Hon. Lolo Ibieneye had reportedly challenged the decision to shut the door, a move which resulted in an altercation between him and Wike.
Other governorship aspirants from the state were also barred by PDP security men from entering the venue of the meeting.
The aspirants included Sen Lee Maeba, Hon. Becks Dagogo-Jack, Samson Ngeribara and Oseleye Ojuka.
Also barred were Barrister Fafaa Dan Princewill, Professor John Owate and Dr. John Imege, who decried the shut out as “indecency in a democracy.”
The aspirants and their supporters alleged that the committee had been compromised by Wike, also a governorship aspirant.
The Third Force, Concerned Nigerian Students, among several other groups protested the committee’s handling of the meeting.
At about 11.40 am a detachment of armed policemen arrived at the Legacy House and chased away the protesters.
Senator Maeba told Pointblanknews.com that Wike’s conduct was unbecoming of a man eyeing the seat of governor.
Aspirants Maeba, Wike and Major Lancelot Anyanya later addressed the committee. Wike confirmed to the panel that he was aspiring to be governor of Rivers State.