…“PDP wake-up call to return to our roots and revive the values that once made the Party the pride of Africa.”
ABUJA, NIGERIA- The iNews Times | The crisis within the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) deepened on Friday as the faction loyal to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, announced the dissolution of the party’s Board of Trustees (BoT) headed by former Senate President Adolphus Wabara, with Senator Ahmed Makarfi as secretary.
The faction cited loss of credibility, moral authority, and constitutional alignment as reasons for the dissolution.
The development came after the inauguration of a new Board of Trustees (BoT) during a meeting convened by FCT Minister Nyesom Wike at his official residence in Life Camp, Abuja.
During the meeting, the newly constituted BoT called for strict compliance with a recent Federal High Court order stopping the planned PDP national convention.
Presiding over the meeting, the Factional Acting National Chairman, Alhaji Abdulrahman Muhammad, formally announced Senator Mao Arukwe Ohuabunwa from Abia State as the new BoT Chairman, with Hon. Isah Dansidi representing the North as Secretary.
In his remarks before the meeting went into a closed session, Muhammad explained that the reconstitution of the Board was part of ongoing efforts to restore discipline, order, and moral direction within the PDP, lamenting that these values had been eroded under the previous leadership.
He accused the dissolved Wabara-led BoT of losing “the moral balance expected of that noble institution,” adding that Wabara’s suspension by the Abia State chapter of the party for alleged anti-party activities made his continued leadership untenable.
“The Board that was meant to be the moral compass of our party became divided and ineffective. Its credibility was called into question, and its continued participation in national advisory matters became impossible to sustain,” he stated.
Muhammad also blamed the tenure of the ‘suspended’ National Chairman, Ambassador Umar Damagum, for what he described as the PDP’s moral decay and disregard for judicial authority, accusing him of shielding party members who violated the constitution and prioritising convenience over adherence to the rule of law.
“When a political party starts to ignore its own constitution and guiding principles, it risks losing the very foundation that binds it together. That was the unfortunate reality we encountered,” he said.
The Acting Chairman commended the efforts of concerned party members who sought judicial intervention to “save the PDP from itself,” noting that their action resulted in the recent Federal High Court judgment which cleared the way for the reconstitution of the Board of Trustees (BoT).
He described the court’s decision as “a wake-up call to return to our roots and revive the values that once made the PDP the pride of Africa.”
Muhammad pledged that the newly inaugurated BoT would stand as a “symbol of renewal” and serve as the “conscience and guiding compass” of the party, stressing that its members were selected for their integrity and sense of fairness, rather than factional allegiance.
“This is not a reward for loyalty; it is a sacred trust. Your voices must echo unity, your counsel must be anchored in fairness, and your actions should inspire confidence in our shared future,” he declared.
He acknowledged that the party’s internal decline began when it abandoned its zoning principle ahead of the 2015 elections, allowing personal ambitions to overshadow equity and fairness.
According to him, the new leadership is committed to rebuilding the PDP on the pillars of transparency, justice, and respect for judicial rulings.
“We will rebuild this party with transparency. We will honour court judgments and uphold the rule of law. Our congresses will be conducted with fairness and integrity. We will restore public trust and make the PDP once again the moral voice of Nigeria’s democracy,” he pledged.
Muhammad further stressed that the PDP could no longer hide behind the excuse of “internal affairs” to justify acts of impunity, insisting that party independence must function within constitutional boundaries.
“Internal affairs must still align with constitutional order. Party autonomy cannot translate to lawlessness. We must reform or risk becoming irrelevant,” he warned.
The meeting was also attended by one of the founding fathers of the PDP and former governor of the old Anambra State, Senator Jim Nwobodo, who urged members to embrace reconciliation and work towards rebuilding the party into the formidable political force it once was.
“As one of the founding fathers and the oldest member of this family here today, I know that the PDP is a party where everyone has a sense of belonging. My appeal to all members, especially our leaders, is to ensure that the PDP remains the beacon of democracy in Nigeria. The PDP is to Nigeria what the ANC is to South Africa,” Nwobodo said.
He also encouraged the new leadership to establish a strong reconciliation committee to reach out to disenchanted members and former party stalwarts willing to return, noting that many have already shown interest.
Turning to the host, he commended Minister Nyesom Wike for his outstanding performance as FCT Minister and urged him to channel the same energy and dedication into reviving the party.
“I arrived in Abuja after two years in Enugu, and I could hardly recognize the city. Abuja has truly changed. If you invest that same level of effort into rebuilding this party, the PDP will once again become the party to beat,” he said.
Nwobodo expressed optimism that with unity and determination, the PDP could once again reclaim its dominant place in Nigeria’s political landscape.
At the close of the meeting, the newly reconstituted Board of Trustees (BoT) released a seven-point communiqué, reaffirming its commitment to constitutional order, internal unity, and lawful conduct ahead of the forthcoming National Convention.
The communiqué, jointly signed by Senator Mao Ohuabunwa and Hon. Isah Dansidi, reiterated that the PDP remains “one indivisible, united and democratic family, firmly committed to the ideals of justice, equity, and progress,” while recognising the authority of all legally constituted organs of the party.
It further directed all party structures and officers to fully comply with the Federal High Court judgment delivered on October 31, 2025, and commended the judiciary for upholding constitutional supremacy and the rule of law.
The BoT also endorsed the organisation of a credible and inclusive National Convention, stressing that all pre-convention activities must strictly conform to the party’s constitution, INEC regulations, and the court’s directives.
The Board cautioned that no organ of the party should act in defiance of court orders, warning that any action taken outside the law would be null and void.
Reaffirming that the Federal High Court judgment takes precedence over the interim order of the Oyo State High Court, the BoT advised that, in the spirit of prudence and respect for judicial processes, the proposed National Convention should be postponed pending the outcome of the appeal.
The communiqué also confirmed the election of Senator Mao Ohuabunwa and Hon. Isah Dansidi as Chairman and Secretary, respectively, replacing Senators Adolphus Wabara and Ahmed Makarfi, who were accused of compromising their neutrality.
The Board acknowledged and appreciated the services of the former BoT leaders and wished them well in their future endeavours.
It further pledged to function as the moral conscience of the PDP, upholding the principles of fairness, justice, inclusivity, and internal harmony, while mediating among stakeholders to curb divisive tendencies within the party.
The Board of Trustees (BoT) appealed to members to demonstrate maturity, mutual respect, and a shared dedication to the unity and progress of the PDP, emphasising that genuine reconciliation is the cornerstone of lasting peace and stability within the party.
It further called on PDP leaders, members, and supporters both in Nigeria and abroad to close ranks and work together toward a successful National Convention that would strengthen the party’s unity and credibility.
“The Board of Trustees reaffirms its unwavering commitment to serve as the conscience of the PDP, speaking truth with fairness, offering guidance with integrity, and ensuring that our great party remains a beacon of democracy and hope for the nation,” the communiqué stated.
