Politics

Wabara-led BoT Assumes Control Of PDP, Mulls Caretaker Committee

Published

4 days ago

April 30, 2026

The Board of Trustees of the Peoples Democratic Party, led by Senator Adolphus Wabara, has assumed control of the party’s national leadership.

The BOT directed staff to resume at the party secretariat, Wadata Plaza, Abuja.

Wabara, in a statement on Thursday, said that pursuant to the express and unambiguous provision of Section 32(5) of the PDP Constitution (as amended in 2017), the Board of Trustees will summon an emergency National Executive Committee meeting for the formation of a caretaker committee following the Supreme Court judgment.

In two split decisions of 3–2, the Supreme Court on Thursday nullified the PDP national convention held in Ibadan on November 15 and 16, which produced the Tanimu Turaki-led leadership backed by Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde.

In the majority judgment, the apex court held that the convention was conducted in breach of existing court orders restraining the PDP from proceeding with the exercise unless certain conditions were met.

The court further criticised the PDP for going ahead with the November 15 and 16 convention despite clear judicial directives requiring compliance with specified conditions before it could be held.

Following the ruling, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike-backed PDP faction led by Abdulrahman Mohammed claimed victory, while the Makinde camp argued that the court’s upholding of the Court of Appeal’s suspension of Ajibade, Anyanwu and others effectively leaves the PDP without a clearly defined leadership structure.

“To this end, we are certain that the existing organs of the party will take the necessary steps to salvage the party and confer leadership on it going forward.

“This leads the vehicle of our party towards a dangerous bend, which, if not carefully navigated, may not only affect the party but also multi-party democracy in our country,” the Makinde-backed Turaki camp stated.

Reacting, the BoT said it has immediately assumed leadership of the PDP as a constitutional step to promote reconciliation, stabilise the party, and restore its political strength.

The statement read, “It is with the utmost sense of duty and responsibility that the Board of Trustees of the Peoples Democratic Party assumes leadership of our great party today, Thursday, 30th April, 2026, pursuant to the empowering provisions of the Constitution of the PDP (as amended in 2017). This constitutional intervention of the BoT is to ensure that there is no leadership vacuum at the national level of our party following the judgment of the Supreme Court.

“Sadly, the Supreme Court today delivered an unpleasant judgment against our party in which it pronounced the invalidation of the 15th to 16th November 2025 National Convention of the PDP held in Ibadan, Oyo State, which produced the Kabiru Tanimu Turaki-led National Working Committee of our party.

“While the Supreme Court invalidated the Ibadan Convention, it also, in a unanimous decision of the five Justices on the panel, upheld the suspension of Senator Samuel Anyanwu, Hon. Umar Bature, and Kamaldeen Ajibade as National Secretary, National Organising Secretary, and National Legal Adviser, respectively, from the party.

“The implication of today’s judgment by the Supreme Court is that all actions taken by Senator Samuel Anyanwu, Hon. Umar Bature, and Barr. Kamaldeen Ajibade, including the appointment of Abdulrahman Mohammed as Acting National Chairman, the composition of the National Caretaker Working Committee, and the conduct and outcome of the March 29th, 2026 Convention in Abuja, are illegal, null, and ab initio void.”

Wabara explained that the invalidation of both the Mohammed-led and Turaki-led working committees places the responsibility of leadership on the BoT as the party’s second-highest organ, in line with Section 32(5) of the PDP Constitution (as amended in 2017).

It continued, “Against this backdrop, the BoT hereby immediately assumes responsibility of the national working leadership of the PDP as an immediate constitutional remedial step to foster genuine reconciliation, salvage, stabilise and return the party to good political health.

“In light of the foregoing, an emergency meeting of the National Executive Committee, pursuant to the provisions of Section 31 of the Constitution of the PDP, will be summoned to, among other things, appoint an Interim National Working Committee to take charge of the National Secretariat of our party and pilot the affairs of the party at the national level so as to meet all the timelines in the Electoral Act, 2026, and ensure that the PDP fields candidates and also emerges victorious in all elective positions in the 2027 general elections.

“Consequently, all staff of the PDP are hereby directed to resume at the National Secretariat of the party under the leadership of the BoT ahead of the appointment of the Interim National Working Committee.

“The BoT commends the courage, effort, and resilience of our governors, Governor Bala Mohammed and Governor Seyi Makinde, the National Assembly caucus, the National Ex-Officio members, the Forum of PDP State Chairmen and State chapters, the Youth and Women Wings, and other organs and bodies in the PDP for standing strong for the party at this trying time.”

BoT called on all party leaders and members to drop personal and group interests and unite as one family in the interest of the party, democracy, and the well-being of millions of Nigerians who depend on the PDP.

“The PDP has suffered enough; the painful victims of this unfortunate episode are the Nigerian people. The time has therefore come for us to make sacrifices, sheathe our swords, and embrace genuine reconciliation for lasting peace and chart a new course for our party,” it added.

Politics

JUST IN: Why I left ADC For NDC With Kwankwaso – Peter Obi Opens Up

Published

16 hours ago

May 4, 2026

Editor

A former presidential candidate, Peter Obi, has given reasons why he resigned from the African Democratic Congress, ADC, to join the Nigerian Democratic Congress, NDC, alongside a former governor of Kano State, Rabiu Kwankwaso.

In a long post on X on Monday, Obi insisted it was not out of anger or ambition.

Rather, he said the move is a continuation of the quest to build a new Nigeria.

Obi wrote: “Yesterday, I formally joined the Nigerian Democratic Congress (NDC), alongside my dear brother, Engr. Dr Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, with one clear purpose: to continue the struggle for a new Nigeria built on justice, competence, accountability, and compassion for the ordinary Nigerian.

“As I stated yesterday, this decision was not made out of anger, personal ambition, or convenience. It came after deep reflection on the present condition of our nation and the urgent need to rescue Nigeria from the dangerous path it is currently heading.

“Over the years, I have remained steadfast in my conviction that politics should never be about individuals, positions, or personal gain. It must be about the people, especially the millions of Nigerians who today can no longer afford necessities, whose businesses are collapsing, whose children are losing hope, and whose future is becoming increasingly uncertain.

“I left the ADC for the same reason I left the Labour Party: the severe, orchestrated litigation and internal crises deliberately designed to ensure that I, alongside many other notable individuals, do not effectively participate in the electoral process. I sincerely appreciate and remain deeply grateful to the Leadership of ADC for the opportunity to work together in pursuit of a better Nigeria. I am particularly grateful to ADC Chairman Senator David Mark for his exceptional Leadership. I also deeply appreciate my Leader and elder brother YE, Atiku Abubakar, as well as other respected leaders within the party.

“As we join the NDC, I sincerely appeal to the Nigerian Government against the encouragement of unresolved litigations and the infusion of crises within political parties. Democracy must never become a weapon against the people. A healthy democracy thrives on strong institutions, credible alternatives, and the freedom of citizens to make choices without intimidation, manipulation, or fear. Opposition parties must not be weakened or destroyed, because when democracy loses balance, the people ultimately suffer.

“Nigeria today is passing through one of the most difficult periods in its history. Poverty is rising. Hunger is widespread. Insecurity continues to threaten lives and livelihoods. Businesses are shutting down daily. Our young people are becoming discouraged, and many citizens have lost faith in the system. At a time like this, leadership must be driven not by propaganda or division, but by competence, capacity, character, and compassion.

“Our decision to join the NDC is therefore not an abandonment of values, but a continuation of the same mission we have always stood for: building a Nigeria where leadership is about service, where public resources are managed responsibly, where institutions function independently, and where every Nigerian, regardless of tribe, religion, region, or social status, can live with dignity, security, and hope.

“I remain committed to working with all Nigerians of goodwill across political, ethnic, and religious lines. The task before us is bigger than any individual or political party. It is about the future of our children and the survival of our dear nation.

“I thank Nigerians, especially our youths and women, for remaining peaceful, resilient, and hopeful despite the enormous challenges confronting the country. I urge you not to lose faith in Nigeria. Nations do not change because people surrender to hopelessness; they change because people continue to believe, continue to sacrifice, and continue to stand for what is right.”

Politics

Peter Obi, Kwankwaso Formally Join NDC, Warn Members Against Litigation

Published

1 day ago

May 3, 2026

Editor

Peter Obi of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) has warned party members to steer clear of any form of litigation that can plunge the party into chaos ahead of the 2027 elections.

Speaking in Abuja on Sunday after he was formally joined the party alongside the former governor of Kano State,

Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso , the 2023 presidential candidate of the Labour Party(LP), urged members to embrace dialogue in the interest of the party

“Please let there be no litigation. Party members, please don’t go to court. We want to build a party, we are not lawyers,” he pleaded.

The two political figures were received into the opposition party on Sunday at its national secretariat in Abuja.

Earlier, Obi had announced his exit from the African Democratic Congress (ADC), while Kwankwaso had indicated he was engaged in “wide-ranging consultations” with the NDC.

The National Chairman of the party, Cleopas Moses Zuwoghe, presented membership cards to both leaders at the event.

Speaking afterwards, Kwankwaso said their engagement with NDC stakeholders was driven by a shared vision and ideological alignment.

“We came to discuss with stakeholders of the party and found that our ideologies and beliefs are largely the same,” he said.

He urged Nigerians to register with the NDC ahead of the deadline for party membership registration, stressing the need for broader participation in the political process.

Politics

Edo South Senatorial Seat: Nothing Wrong Seeking Wike’s Support – Ogbeide-Ihama

Published

2 days ago

May 2, 2026

Editor

Edo South All Progressives Congress’ senatorial aspirant, Omeregie Ogbeide-Ihama, on Saturday said that there is nothing wrong seeking the Federal Capital Territory Minister, nyesom Wike’s support for his political ambition.

The former House of Representatives member was reacting to insinuation in some quarters that he had gone to meet the FCT Minister for help in order to get the party’s ticket.

Ogbeide-Ihama, who spoke when he visited the leadership of the Edo South Senatorial District to declare his intention to contest the senatorial seat, said if such insinuations of meeting Wike for support was true, there is nothing bad so far meeting Wike can guarantee him the ticket.

Ogbeide-Ihama appealed to the senatorial leaders of the party to give the ticket to the most qualified aspirants, stressing that “it is not a game of try your luck or gamble.”

According to him, among the aspirants, he is the most qualified having gone to the House of Representatives twice.

He stressed that he feels most qualified and experienced to be saddled with the responsibility and not someone who wants to learn on the job.

Ogbeide-Ihama, while stating his ordeals when contesting on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), said his billboards were pulled down several times yet he won the election.

He added that now that he has joined the APC, the election should be easy sailing because he is now one of them.

He further appealed to the leadership of the party that they should know that times are changing and the world is gravitating towards the youth, adding that as a youth, he should be sent to represent the senatorial district because he still has the strength and energy to champion the cause of the seven local government areas that make up the Edo South Senatorial district.

Earlier, the Edo South Senatorial district leader and former deputy governor of the state, Pius Odubu, said that the election should be seen as that of a family affair.

He appealed to Ogbeide-Ihama to go about his campaign in a peaceful manner