The factional Board of Trustees (BoT) of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), led by Senator Adolphus Wabara, has summoned an emergency National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting for today, Monday, citing an impending leadership vacuum within the opposition party.
Addressing journalists on Sunday in Abuja during the 84th session of his faction of the board, Wabara said the meeting was convened under the provisions of the party’s constitution as amended in 2017. He disclosed that the board had secured the requisite two-thirds majority consent from NEC members and formally notified the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
“I am pleased to inform Nigerians that we have secured the required consent. INEC has been duly notified of the 103rd NEC meeting scheduled for Monday, May 4,” Wabara said.
He urged party members to approach the meeting with a spirit of unity, reconciliation, and commitment to rebuilding the PDP, adding: “We must act as the conscience of our party and provide direction.”
Wabara explained that the board assumed administrative leadership following a Supreme Court judgment delivered on Thursday, which he argued had averted a constitutional crisis and immediate leadership uncertainty. According to him, the apex court nullified the 2025 national convention that produced the Kabiru Turaki-led National Working Committee (NWC) and upheld suspensions linked to the organisers of the March convention in Abuja.
He insisted that Samuel Anyanwu, Kamaldeen Ajibade, and Umar Bature remained suspended, stating that their suspensions—imposed on 1 November 2025—were affirmed by the Supreme Court.
“Despite our travails, our party remains strong and can never die. The PDP will never surrender to renegades or political brigands,” Wabara declared.
Rival Faction Dismisses Claims of Vacuum
In a swift rebuttal, the PDP National Publicity Secretary, Jungudo Mohammed, dismissed assertions of a leadership vacuum, insisting that Abdulrahman Mohammed remains the party’s legitimate national chairman. Mohammed argued that the Supreme Court ruling only addressed the legality of the Ibadan convention and did not affect the current NWC or party administration.
“There has never been any vacuum or absence of leadership in the PDP,” Mohammed said, maintaining that the party structure remains lawful and fully operational.
He further contended that the party constitution does not empower the BoT to assume NWC functions and questioned Wabara’s authority, claiming his tenure as BoT chairman had already expired. “The only legitimate BoT leadership is that headed by Mao Ohuabunwa,” Mohammed stated.
