The internal crisis within the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) deepened on Friday as the faction loyal to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, dissolved the Board of Trustees (BoT) led by former Senate President, Senator Adolphus Wabara, and Senator Ahmed Makarfi as Secretary.
The faction accused the former BoT leadership of losing credibility, moral authority, and alignment with the party’s constitution. The announcement followed the inauguration of a new BoT at a meeting convened by Wike at his Life Camp residence in Abuja.
Senator Mao Arukwe Ohuabunwa from Abia State was named the new BoT Chairman, while Hon. Isah Dansidi was appointed Secretary. The meeting was presided over by the factional Acting National Chairman of the PDP, Alhaji Abdulrahman Muhammad.
Before the meeting went into a closed session, Muhammad said the reconstitution was aimed at restoring discipline, unity, and moral direction within the party, which he claimed had deteriorated under previous leadership.
He faulted the Wabara-led board for allegedly becoming “divided and ineffective,” citing Wabara’s suspension by the Abia State chapter of the PDP over alleged anti-party activities.
“The Board that was meant to serve as the party’s moral compass lost its credibility. It became impossible for that leadership to continue to play an advisory role,” Muhammad stated.
He also criticised the tenure of the suspended National Chairman, Ambassador Umar Damagum, accusing him of ignoring the party’s constitution and promoting impunity. “When a party disregards its own laws, it loses the soul that binds it together,” he added.
Muhammad praised members who sought judicial intervention to “save the PDP from itself,” referring to the recent Federal High Court judgment that cleared the way for the reconstitution of the BoT. He described the ruling as “a wake-up call” for the PDP to return to its founding values.
He pledged that the new BoT would serve as the conscience of the party and uphold integrity and fairness. “This is not a reward for loyalty but a sacred trust,” he said.
Also speaking, one of the PDP’s founding fathers and former governor of old Anambra State, Senator Jim Nwobodo, called for reconciliation and unity among party members.
“As one of the founding fathers of this family, I urge everyone to ensure the PDP remains the beacon of democracy in Nigeria,” Nwobodo said, urging the new leadership to reach out to aggrieved members and rebuild the party.
He also commended Wike’s performance as FCT Minister and encouraged him to bring the same energy to rebuilding the PDP.
At the end of the meeting, the newly inaugurated BoT issued a seven-point communiqué reaffirming its commitment to constitutional order, unity, and lawful conduct ahead of the party’s forthcoming National Convention.
The communiqué, signed by Ohuabunwa and Dansidi, recognised the authority of all legally constituted party organs and directed immediate compliance with the October 31, 2025 Federal High Court judgment. It also endorsed the conduct of a credible and inclusive convention in accordance with party and INEC guidelines.
The Board further warned that any action taken in contempt of court would be null and void and urged that the proposed convention be postponed pending the determination of the appeal.
It confirmed Ohuabunwa and Dansidi’s appointments as replacements for Wabara and Makarfi, appreciating their past service to the party.
The BoT pledged to act as the conscience of the PDP, promote reconciliation, and foster inclusivity and unity ahead of future elections.
“The Board of Trustees pledges to continuously uphold its sacred responsibility as the conscience of the PDP speaking truth with fairness and ensuring our great party remains a beacon of democracy and hope for the nation,” the communiqué stated.
