PDP Faction Overhauls Leadership: Wike-aligned Group Dissolves Board of Trustees
In a significant leadership shake-up within Nigeria’s People’s Democratic Party (PDP), the faction aligned with Federal Capital Territory Minister Nyesom Wike has disbanded the Board of Trustees (BoT) previously led by former Senate President Adolphus Wabara. The decision, announced Friday, came as the faction cited a loss of credibility and moral authority within the party’s leadership.
The restructuring was marked by the immediate installation of a new Board of Trustees, overseen by factional Acting National Chairman Alhaji Abdulrahman Muhammad during a meeting at Wike’s official residence in Life Camp, Abuja.
Muhammad, addressing attendees before the closed-door session, emphasized the urgent need to restore the party’s foundational principles. He pointed to Wabara’s suspension by the Abia State Chapter for alleged anti-party activities as a key factor that compromised the former BoT’s leadership legitimacy.
The Acting Chairman also directed criticism at ‘suspended’ National Chairman Ambassador Umar Damagum, attributing the party’s declining adherence to constitutional principles to his leadership. Muhammad accused Damagum of prioritizing convenience over constitutional obligations and protecting those who violated party rules.
In explaining the reorganization’s legal basis, Muhammad referenced a recent Federal High Court judgment that enabled the BoT’s reconstitution, praising the three party members who initiated the legal action. He characterized the court’s decision as a necessary step toward institutional reform rather than an attack on the party.
Looking ahead, Muhammad outlined his vision for the newly formed BoT, describing it as a catalyst for the party’s renewal. He emphasized that appointments to the new board were based on integrity rather than factional allegiances.
The chairman acknowledged the party’s historical missteps, particularly noting how abandoning the zoning principle before the 2015 elections marked the beginning of internal challenges. He committed to rebuilding the PDP on principles of transparency and judicial compliance.
Muhammad concluded with a call for party-wide reform and unity, stressing that the PDP’s autonomy must operate within constitutional boundaries. He expressed determination to restore the party’s position as a leading voice in Nigeria’s democratic landscape while maintaining a commitment to peaceful resolution and organizational growth.
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