… Declares Governors Makinde, Mohammed ‘On Their Way Out’
The leadership crisis within the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) escalated sharply on Sunday night as the party’s National Executive Committee (NEC) dissolved the Abdulrahman Mohammed-led National Working Committee (NWC), whose tenure was due to expire on Tuesday, December 9.
Despite dissolving the former leadership, the NEC immediately reappointed Mohammed as chairman of a 13-member Caretaker National Working Committee, with a 60-day mandate to conduct congresses in states under caretaker structures and organise a national convention.
The decision, taken at the party’s 104th NEC meeting in Abuja, followed a strong recommendation earlier in the day from the Board of Trustees (BoT).
Caretaker NWC Takes Over
The caretaker committee, chaired by Abdulrahman Mohammed, has Senator Sam Anyanwu as Secretary, with Umar Bature as National Organising Secretary and Kamaldeen Ajibade (SAN) as National Legal Adviser. Other members include Dr Kyari Grema, Senator Sandy Onor, Senator Nkechi Nwaogu, Deji Doherty, Bisi Kolawole, and Ibrahim Bala Aboki.
They were sworn in immediately.
Representing the state chairmen, Imo PDP Chairman Augustine Nwachukwu praised the NEC’s decision, saying it would “place the party on a firmer footing ahead of the national convention.”
In his response, Mohammed promised broad consultation and pledged that all disputes would be resolved before the national convention. He assured that “all state chapters will fully participate in the exercise.”
Leader of the PDP caucus in the House of Representatives, Kingsley Chinda, reaffirmed the lawmakers’ confidence in Mohammed, insisting: “Let the rule of law entrenched in the PDP prevail.’
The FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, intensified his confrontation with rival leaders, declaring that Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde, Bauchi State Governor Bala Mohammed, and their allies were “on their way out of the PDP.”
Wike accused the group of attempting to hijack the party despite joining years after him.
“We won’t allow those we accepted into the PDP to kill the party. I joined in 1998. Bala Mohammed came after the doctrine of necessity in 2010. Makinde came from the SDP. Now they want to push away those of us they met here. They have no choice again—they are on their way out,” he declared.
He also berated Governor Bala Mohammed’s tenure as chairman of the PDP Governors’ Forum, alleging the party suffered more losses under him than under his own stewardship as Rivers governor.
Wike further accused the rival faction of serially violating judgments of the Federal High Court while seeking ex parte orders from state courts to secure legitimacy.
“How do you disobey two final judgments and still claim leadership?” he asked.
He said their actions were capable of destroying the PDP, warning:
“If we don’t respect our own laws, how do we earn respect from Nigerians?”
Factional BoT Unveils Reform Agenda
At a parallel BoT meeting in Life Camp, Abuja, factional Chairman Senator Mao Ohuabunwa said the reforms initiated by the group were aimed at rebuilding the PDP and restoring public confidence.
He said the party was reorganising affected state chapters and setting up credible caretaker committees as part of preparations for transparent congresses and a lawful convention.
Describing the BoT as the “conscience of the party,” Ohuabunwa stressed:
“We must ensure this party stands to be counted in its obedience to the Constitution, our party laws, and INEC guidelines.”
He pledged full support for the Mohammed-led NWC.
The NEC also dissolved party structures in Oyo, Yobe, Zamfara and Kano, while approving caretaker committees in Bauchi, Lagos, Ekiti, Enugu, Ebonyi, Anambra, Edo, Bayelsa and the South East zone.
The meeting was attended by several notable party figures, including factional National Secretary Senator Sam Anyanwu, former Abia governor Okezie Ikpeazu, and former deputy governors Philip Salawu, Ayo Fayose, and Samuel Ortom.
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