The internal crisis within the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) took a new turn on Friday as a faction loyal to the party’s Acting National Chairman, Alhaji Abdulrahman Muhammad, announced the dissolution of the Adolphus Wabara-led Board of Trustees (BoT) and named former Abia North senator, Mao Ohuabunwa, as the new BoT Chairman.
This was contained in a communiqué issued at the end of an emergency session of the factional BoT in Abuja. The meeting also saw the election of Hon. Isah Dansidi as Secretary, replacing former Kaduna State governor, Senator Ahmed Makarfi.
The faction accused Wabara and Makarfi of abandoning their roles as neutral custodians of the party’s moral authority by taking clear public positions in the ongoing leadership battle.
“The board unanimously approved the election of Senator Mao Ohuabunwa and Hon. Isah Dansidi as the Chairman and Secretary of the newly constituted Board of Trustees,” the communiqué stated.
It affirmed that the PDP remains “one united and democratic family,” while expressing confidence in the judiciary for upholding constitutional order in its recent rulings relating to the party.
The BoT directed all party organs to comply with the October 31 judgment of the Federal High Court, which nullified certain decisions made by the former leadership. It also backed the decision to delay the proposed National Convention until the Court of Appeal concludes hearing on the matter, stressing that proceeding now could amount to contempt of court.
“The judgment of the Federal High Court remains superior and must be respected,” the communiqué added.
Elder statesman and pioneer PDP leader, Senator Jim Nwobodo, who attended the meeting, urged party leaders and stakeholders to prioritise reconciliation and reposition the party for future elections.
According to him, many political actors who left the PDP could return if the party restores internal order and a sense of belonging.
“The PDP is the foundation of democracy in this Fourth Republic,” Nwobodo said. “Reach out to aggrieved members who are ready to abide by the party’s Constitution and bring them back to the family.”
He also appealed directly to Federal Capital Territory Minister, Nyesom Wike, to support reconciliation efforts.
“If you apply the same determination you have shown in transforming Abuja to rebuild this party, the PDP will again become the party to beat,” he said.
The latest development signals further fragmentation within the PDP, with implications for its ability to present a unified front ahead of the 2027 election cycle.
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