PDP Crisis: Wabara Urges NEC Meeting Amid BoT Violence – Latest Updates
In the heart of the Nigerian political landscape, a storm brews within the ranks of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) as the Board of Trustees (BoT) Chairman, Senator Adolphus Wabara, stands firm in his call for the party’s National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting to proceed as planned in February. Against a backdrop of escalating leadership disputes, Wabara’s unwavering commitment to unity and the party’s survival takes center stage at the 79th BoT meeting held at the PDP’s national headquarters in Abuja.
Amid the echo of political strife, Wabara’s poignant address to BoT members paints a picture of a party at a critical crossroads. “The unity, focus, and ideals of our great party are being tested,” he laments. The unresolved leadership wrangling within the National Working Committee (NWC) casts a shadow over the party’s credibility, emphasizing the urgent need for the NEC meeting to reaffirm the party’s core values.
As the anticipation mounts for the upcoming NEC meeting, scheduled after a series of postponements, hopes run high among party stakeholders for a resolution to the leadership crisis that threatens to fracture the PDP’s foundation. With opposition parties circling like vultures, eyeing a coalition ahead of the 2027 presidential election, the PDP finds itself at a pivotal juncture, and the decisions made in the coming weeks could shape the party’s future trajectory.
Violence mars BoT meeting
However, the road to reconciliation is fraught with obstacles as the recent BoT meeting, intended to address the leadership crisis, spiraled into chaos with a clash between the factions of Senator Samuel Anyanwu and Sunday Ude-Okoye over the coveted position of National Secretary. The power struggle, fueled by competing interests and allegiances, threatens to deepen the fault lines within the party as rival factions vie for control.
The roots of discord run deep, with Anyanwu’s departure to contest the Imo governorship election setting the stage for a bitter showdown over Ude-Okoye’s nomination as his replacement. The legal wrangling that ensued, culminating in conflicting court rulings, has plunged the party into a state of uncertainty, underscoring the need for a swift and decisive resolution to the impasse.
As tempers flared during the BoT meeting, Ude-Okoye’s forceful ejection from the premises by Anyanwu’s aides served as a grim reminder of the internal strife plaguing the PDP. The ugly confrontation, punctuated by heated exchanges and physical altercations, laid bare the deep-seated tensions that threaten to tear the party apart from within.
Security agencies take over PDP secretariat
In the aftermath of the melee, security agencies, including the military, mobile police (MOPOL), regular police, and operatives of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, stepped in to restore order at the PDP secretariat, underscoring the gravity of the situation and the need for swift intervention to prevent further escalation of hostilities.
Meanwhile, acting National Chairman, Ambassador Umar Damagum, added his voice to the chorus of concern, admonishing party leaders for exacerbating the crisis by sidestepping established protocols and engaging directly with NWC members. His call for unity and solidarity underscores the imperative of putting aside personal interests in favor of the greater good, lest the party’s prospects in future elections be jeopardized by internal discord.
As the dust settles on the tumultuous BoT meeting, a glimmer of hope emerges in the form of a committee tasked with mediating the dispute over the national secretary position. Led by Barrister Kabiru Tanimu Turaki (SAN), the committee aims to engage with the warring factions, assess the situation, and chart a path towards reconciliation and resolution. The BoT’s unwavering commitment to dialogue and engagement offers a ray of hope in the midst of uncertainty, signaling a willingness to confront the challenges head-on and emerge stronger on the other side.
As the PDP navigates the stormy waters of internal strife, the echoes of Wabara’s call for unity and resilience reverberate through the party ranks, serving as a rallying cry for members to set aside their differences and unite in the face of adversity. The road ahead may be fraught with obstacles, but the indomitable spirit of the PDP shines through, a beacon of hope in troubled times, urging its members to stand together in the pursuit of a common goal: a brighter future for all Nigerians.
