The Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Board of Trustees (BoT), Senator Adolphus Wabara, has called on aggrieved members of the party to sheathe their swords and embrace reconciliation in the interest of unity and stability.
Wabara made the appeal while presiding over a BoT meeting on Wednesday at the Bauchi State Governor’s Lodge in Asokoro, Abuja. He emphasized that the board would remain neutral and focus on mediating the lingering internal disputes.
Those present at the meeting included BoT Secretary Ahmed Makarfi, Jerry Gana, Senator Ben Obi, Josephine Anenih, Zainab Maina, and members of the National Working Committee (NWC) led by Acting National Chairman Umar Damagum. It was Damagum’s first public appearance since the suspension of the Senator Samuel Anyanwu-led NWC last week.
In his remarks, Damagum hailed the recent Oyo State High Court ruling that authorized the PDP to go ahead with its National Elective Convention in Ibadan. He reiterated the party’s resolve to conduct the convention as planned and in line with due process.
The BoT also announced the formation of a reconciliation committee to resolve disputes and restore peace among feuding factions. Members reaffirmed their support for the Damagum-led NWC and the scheduled convention.
The PDP has been engulfed in a leadership crisis that worsened over the weekend after Damagum and his faction suspended National Secretary Samuel Anyanwu, National Organising Secretary Umar Bature, and other key officers. In a counter move, Anyanwu’s faction suspended Damagum, National Publicity Secretary Debo Ologunagba, and four others, further deepening the division.
On Monday, Abdulrahman Mohammed, appointed by the Anyanwu faction as acting national chairman, resumed at the party’s national secretariat, while Damagum and members loyal to him were absent.
Wabara assured that the BoT would intensify its peace efforts to ensure the PDP remains united ahead of its forthcoming national convention.
