Governors, Wike in bitter battle over control of PDP

…As FCT minister’s backed faction inaugurate new BoT

The battle for the control of the soul of Nigeria’s main opposition party, the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) took a new twist over the weekend in Abuja when loyalists of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister, Nyesom Wike, inaugurated a new Board of Trustees (BoT).

Factional PDP acting chairman, Abdulrahman Mohammed, accused the Adolphus Wabara-led BoT of losing moral balance.

Mohammed, a former national vice chairman (North Central), described the inauguration as a significant turning point in the life of the party.

Despite several efforts to resolve the crisis, the PDP remains engulfed in severe internal squabbles. Wike’s supporters have continued to express dissatisfaction with the leadership of Damagum.

Their grievances centre on unresolved crises over the South-South zonal leadership and the control of party structures in Cross River, Akwa Ibom, and Plateau States. Disputes over micro-zoning ahead of the convention have further intensified tensions.

Earlier last week, the faction forcefully took over the party’s national secretariat, Wadata Plaza, in the absence of governors elected on the party’s platform and their loyalists.

Similarly, the Wike-led faction also last week secured a court judgment stopping the proposed national convention slated for Ibadan on November 15-16.

In the suit marked FHC/ABJ/CS/2120/2025, Justice James Omotosho restrained the PDP from proceeding with the event pending compliance with its constitution, the 1999 Constitution, and the Electoral Act 2022.

The suit was instituted by three aggrieved members — Austin Nwachukwu (Imo State PDP Chairman), Amah Abraham Nnanna (Abia State PDP Chairman), and Turnah Alabh George (Secretary, PDP South-South Zone).

The ruling further worsened the crisis, creating two opposing camps — one loyal to Damagum and the other to National Vice Chairman (North Central), Abdulrahman Mohammed, who’s now assumed the party’s acting chairman of the group loyal to Wike.

But that ruling only last for two days as an Oyo State High Court sitting in Ibadan, subsequently cleared the party to proceed with its scheduled elective national convention.

In a ruling delivered by Justice A. L. Akintola, the court granted an interim order allowing the party to hold the convention as planned in Ibadan, Oyo State.

The court also directed the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to attend, monitor, and observe the exercise pending the hearing and determination of the substantive motion on notice.

The ruling followed an ex parte application filed by Folahan Adelabi against the PDP, its Acting National Chairman, Umar Damagum; Governor Umaru Fintiri (representing the National Convention Organising Committee); and INEC.

However, just when the PDP governors backed excos led by Damagum though they had gained upper hand in the crisis, Wike and his faction met to suspend the Wabara-led BoT and inaugurated a new one led by Mao Ohabunwa, a former Abia North senator.

Speaking at the inauguration, factional chairman Mohammed said, “We have come together, not merely to inaugurate a new Board of Trustees, but to renew our faith in the ideals that gave birth to this great political family – justice, fairness, inclusivity, and respect for the rule of law.

Mohammed noted that the PDP was not just another political organisation when it was founded, but was a national movement and coalition of dreams built on the belief that democracy must unite rather than divide, build rather than break, and serve rather than dominate.

According to him, “It was this conviction that made the PDP a household name and the pride of Nigeria’s democratic journey.

“But in recent times, we have faced storms that have tested the strength of our foundation. We have seen internal challenges, leadership disputes, and decisions that, regrettably, drifted away from the very principles that once set us apart.

“The previous Board of Trustees, led by Senator Adolphus Wabara, sadly lost the moral balance expected of that noble institution.

“His suspension by the Abia State chapter of our party over anti-party activities was a difficult but necessary step. The credibility of that leadership became heavily questioned, and its continued role in national advisory matters became untenable.

“As a result of this, the Board that was meant to be the moral compass of our party became divided and ineffective.

“This vacuum of moral guidance was further compounded by the actions of the then suspended National Chairman, Ambassador Umar Damagum, whose leadership regrettably chose convenience over the constitution and personal loyalty over the rule of law.”

Last Saturday in Abuja before the unfolding event, the Damagum-led NWC, through the National Publicity Secretary, Debo Ologunagba, announced the suspension of national secretary, Senator Samuel Anyanwu; national legal adviser, Kamaldeen Ajibade; deputy legal adviser, Okechukwu Osuoha; and national organising secretary, Umar Bature, for 30 days over alleged anti-party activities.

Meanwhile, Olabode George, a former deputy national chairman of the PDP has condemned the invasion of the national secretariat by uniformed security personnel, saying such act was a dangerous affront to democracy and the rule of law.

In a chat with the media, George noted that the brigandage was done in concert with a minority faction of the party.

The Atona Oodua maintained that the action which came up after the judgement stopping PDP Convention was illegal and unlawful act by the security agents, adding it is clearly a recipe for anarchy.

According to him, “What a travesty of Justice. The deployment of uniformed personnel into the private chambers of a major political party is a direct assault on democratic values and the freedom of political association guaranteed by our Constitution.

“This action undermines public confidence, threatens national stability, and sends a dangerous signal to the international community about the state of democracy in Nigeria.

“In his judgement stopping the PDP Convention, Justice Omotosho is trying to force his personal judicial opinion into the sacred judicial interpretation of the apex court of the land.”

Continuing, the elder statesman added, “The Supreme Court said the judiciary has no right to dabble into party’s internal affairs. So, on this judgement, Justice Omotosho is clearly wrong.

“This is judicial rascality. It should be condemned by all Nigerians, the CJN and NJC. Justice Omotosho wants to set Nigeria on fire and destroy this democracy the way First and Second Republics were destroyed by some judges and the political class.

“His judgement is the joke of the century, an open recipe for anarchy and a display of judicial brigandage.

“Justice Omotosho ruled that evidence adduced before him established that PDP failed to comply with provisions of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), guidelines of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), as well as its own (PDP) Constitution. Who told him this?

“INEC officials monitored our congresses. He did not invite INEC officials to ask them what happened during our congresses. So, on what evidence did he base his judgement?”

He called on the Chief Justice of Nigeria and the National Judicial Council to call the judge to order.

“Any judgement capable of leading to a breakdown of law and order should be avoided. What power does he have to order PDP not to have its National Convention? Has the judiciary gone to the dogs? As I said earlier, during all our congresses leading to this convention, INEC officials were present,” George queried.