Wike-backed PDP faction inaugurates new BoT at FCTA secretariat

A faction of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) led by Abdulrahman Mohammed has inaugurated a new board of trustees (BoT).

The event was held on Friday at the conference hall of the federal capital territory administration (FCTA) in Abuja, the nation’s capital.

PDP chieftains, including Nyesom Wike, minister of the federal capital territory (FCT), attended the inauguration.

Those inaugurated include Mao Ohabunwa as chairman and Isah Dansidi as secretary.

Speaking during the ceremony, Mohammed said the immediate past BoT had violated the party’s constitution and committed alleged anti-party activities.

“When any political party begins to disregard its own constitution and laws, it loses the very soul that holds it together,” he said.

“This was the painful reality we faced, and it led, inevitably, to the decision by three concerned members and leaders of conscience to seek judicial redress. Their decision was not driven by anger or ambition, but by love for the PDP and a concern for its survival.

“This new board of trustees we inaugurate today is therefore not just a statutory organ—it is a symbol of rebirth.

“It represents our collective decision to return the PDP to its moral centre. The Board will once again serve as the conscience and compass of this great party—offering guidance with courage, wisdom, and impartiality.”

The development is the latest in the unfolding crisis within the PDP.

BACKGROUND

The fresh power struggle follows last week’s decision by the PDP national working committee (NWC), led by Umar Damagum, PDP national chairman, to suspend Samuel Anyanwu, national secretary; Kamaldeen Ajibade, national legal adviser; Okechukwu Osuoha, deputy legal adviser; and Umaru Bature, national organising secretary.

Debo Ologunagba, PDP spokesperson, who announced the suspension, said the decision followed an emergency meeting of the NWC in Abuja.

In a tit-for-tat move, Anyanwu’s faction, which has Wike’s backing, suspended Damagum, Ologunagba, Taofeek Arapaja, the deputy national vice-chairman (south); Daniel Woyenguikoro, national financial secretary; Sulaiman Kadade, national youth leader; and Setonji Koshoedo, deputy national secretary.

Anyanwu’s faction subsequently appointed Mohammed as the acting national chairman, claiming that the decision was necessary to restore order and legitimacy within the party’s national leadership.

On Monday, Mohammed declared himself the PDP acting national chairman at the party’s secretariat in Abuja.

On Wednesday, the PDP BoT board, led by Adolphus Wabara, declared support for the Damagum-led NWC as the authentic leadership of the party and constituted a committee to reconcile the warring factions within the party.