A leadership crisis has stalled the 2026 Third Quarterly General Forum of the Port Harcourt Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (PHCCIMA), with members divided over the future of the organisation’s president, Dr Chinyere Nwoga.
The dispute centres on allegations that Nwoga established a separate body, the Greater Port Harcourt Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture, while serving as president of the existing chamber.
Some members have demanded her suspension or impeachment, alleging that the move violates the chamber’s constitution and amounts to misconduct.
Others are calling for her to step aside pending an independent investigation, while her supporters have rejected the allegations.
A former president of the chamber, Billy Gillis-Harry, said it was unacceptable for a serving president to establish or belong to another chamber operating in the same city.
Nwoga, however, denied violating the chamber’s constitution and maintained her position as members debated a motion seeking her suspension.
The financial secretary, Emmanuel Ogbonda, also moved for the president’s suspension as tensions escalated during the meeting.
The dispute has drawn the attention of other former presidents and stakeholders, some of whom have backed calls for an independent investigation into the allegations.
With the quarterly forum disrupted, members now face the challenge of resolving the leadership dispute without further affecting the operations and credibility of the business organisation.
The crisis also raises questions over the chamber’s ability to provide effective representation for businesses in Rivers State while the leadership dispute remains unresolved.
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