In a significant escalation of the internal turmoil plaguing Nigeria's main opposition party, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), a faction has dissolved the existing Board of Trustees (BoT) and appointed former Senator Mao Ohuabwa as its new Chairman. This move, announced on Friday following an emergency meeting in Abuja, underscores the deepening divisions within the PDP, which have been exacerbated by conflicting court orders and rival claims to leadership positions.
Senator Mao Ohuabunwa, who previously represented Abia North Senatorial District in the National Assembly, emerges as the factional Chairman of the BoT. His appointment comes in the wake of the dissolution of the board previously led by Adolphus Wabara. The faction responsible for this overhaul is aligned with Alhaji Abdulrahman Muhammad, who has been installed as the party's Acting National Chairman. This development highlights the party's struggle to maintain unity ahead of critical decisions, including a proposed national convention.
The communiqué issued after the inaugural and emergency meeting of the newly reconstituted BoT detailed the rationale behind these changes. It stated that both Adolphus Wabara and the former BoT Secretary, Senator Ahmed Makarfi, were removed because they had "publicly taken sides" in the ongoing intra-party crisis. According to the faction, such partisanship compromised the neutrality and moral authority that the BoT is expected to uphold as the party's conscience and stabilizing force.
In place of Makarfi, Hon. Isah Dansidi was elected as the new Secretary of the board. The communiqué emphasized that these elections were unanimous, reflecting a consensus among the members present at the Abuja meeting. "Accordingly, the Board unanimously approved the election of Senator Mao Ohuabunwa and Hon. Isah Dansidi as the Chairman and Secretary of the newly constituted Board of Trustees, respectively," it read.
This reconstitution is not merely administrative; it represents a strategic maneuver by the faction loyal to Acting National Chairman Alhaji Abdulrahman Muhammad to assert control over the party's elder statesman body. The BoT, often regarded as the highest advisory organ in the PDP, plays a pivotal role in resolving disputes, guiding policy, and ensuring adherence to the party's constitution. By sidelining Wabara and Makarfi—both prominent figures with extensive political histories—the faction aims to eliminate perceived biases that could hinder their agenda.
Senator Mao Ohuabunwa brings a wealth of experience to his new role. A seasoned politician from Abia State, Ohuabunwa served as a federal lawmaker and has been involved in various PDP activities over the years. His selection is seen by supporters as a return to principled leadership, free from the entanglements of the current crisis. Similarly, Hon. Isah Dansidi's appointment as Secretary is expected to provide administrative stability to the board.
Despite the factional nature of these appointments, the reconstituted BoT was quick to reaffirm its commitment to the PDP's unity. In the communiqué, it described the party as "one indivisible, united, and democratic family," dedicated to the principles of justice, equity, and progress. This rhetoric aims to project an image of cohesion, even as rival groups vie for dominance. The board's statement serves as a reminder of the PDP's foundational ideals, which have been tested repeatedly since the party lost power at the federal level in 2015.
A key highlight of the communiqué was the BoT's stance on the proposed national convention, a gathering intended to elect substantive national officers and chart the party's future. The faction threw its full support behind calls for postponement until the Court of Appeal delivers its ruling on a lingering legal dispute. This case challenges a Federal High Court judgment that has direct implications for the PDP's leadership structure.
The communiqué argued that the Federal High Court's decision holds greater legal weight compared to an interim order issued by the Oyo State High Court. "The judgment of the Federal High Court remains superior and weightier in law than the interim order of the Oyo State High Court," it asserted. By advocating for delay, the BoT emphasized the importance of prudence and respect for judicial processes. Holding the convention prematurely, they warned, could lead to further chaos and undermine the party's credibility.
This position aligns with broader concerns within the PDP about the proliferation of court interventions in party affairs. Nigerian politics has increasingly seen judicial pronouncements shaping internal party dynamics, often leading to parallel structures and prolonged instability. The PDP's crisis is emblematic of this trend, with multiple factions citing different court orders to legitimize their actions.
The dissolution of the Wabara-led BoT and the subsequent appointments mark a bold step by the Muhammad-aligned group to consolidate power. Critics, however, may view it as an attempt to circumvent established norms, potentially alienating other stakeholders. Adolphus Wabara, a former Senate President, and Ahmed Makarfi, who once served as Acting National Chairman and led the party's caretaker committee, are influential figures whose removal could provoke backlash.
The intra-party crisis in the PDP has roots in disputes over zoning formulas, elective positions, and allegations of imposition during primaries. These tensions boiled over following the 2023 general elections, where the party suffered significant losses. The emergence of Alhaji Abdulrahman Muhammad as Acting National Chairman is itself contested, with rival factions recognizing different leaders.
As the PDP navigates this turbulent period, the reconstituted BoT's actions could either pave the way for reconciliation or deepen the rift. The call for postponing the national convention buys time for legal clarity but also delays much-needed reforms. Party members and observers alike are watching closely to see how the Court of Appeal's decision will influence the balance of power.
In reaffirming loyalty to the PDP's core values, the new BoT leadership under Senator Ohuabunwa seeks to position itself as a unifying force. Whether this will resonate across the party's fractured landscape remains uncertain. The PDP, once Nigeria's dominant political platform, continues to grapple with internal democracy challenges that threaten its opposition role against the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
This latest development in Abuja is a microcosm of the broader challenges facing Nigerian political parties: the interplay between legal battles, factional loyalties, and the quest for institutional stability. For the PDP to regain its footing, resolving these leadership imbroglios through dialogue and adherence to due process will be crucial. The communiqué's emphasis on justice, equity, and progress serves as an aspirational anchor, but translating words into actionable unity will test the resolve of all involved.
The emergency meeting that produced these outcomes was described as inaugural for the new board, signaling a fresh start—or perhaps a reset—in the PDP's governance structure. With Senator Mao Ohuabunwa at the helm and Hon. Isah Dansidi as Secretary, the faction hopes to steer the party away from precipitous decisions like an ill-timed convention.
Ultimately, the PDP's ability to emerge stronger from this crisis depends on bridging divides and honoring judicial outcomes. As the appellate court prepares to rule, the political atmosphere within the party remains charged, with implications for Nigeria's opposition politics in the coming years. The BoT's communiqué, while factional in origin, echoes a universal call for patience and legality in a system often marred by expediency.
