PDP crisis deepens as Wike-backed BoT counters Wabara, backs Mohammed–Anyanwu NWC

By Luminous Jannamike, ABUJA

The crisis in the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has deepened as a faction of the Board of Trustees (BoT) invoked Thursday’s ruling of the Supreme Court to back the Mohammed–Anyanwu National Working Committee (NWC) as the party’s legitimate leadership.

The dispute now turns on sharply different interpretations of the Supreme Court judgment, with rival blocs using the same verdict to press opposing claims to control, further fracturing the party’s top structure.

The position was contained in a statement by Senator Mao Ohuabunwa, factional Chairman of the BoT aligned with the Federal Capital Territory Minister, Nyesom Wike.

Acknowledging the ruling, the BoT said the apex court had affirmed earlier decisions nullifying the Ibadan convention.

“For the avoidance of doubt, the judgment of the Supreme Court simply affirms the earlier decisions of the Federal High Court and the Court of Appeal nullifying the purported National Convention of the Party held on the 15th and 16th of November 2025 in Ibadan, Oyo State,” the BoT said.

It insisted the implication of the ruling is straightforward and leaves no room for alternative interpretations.

“Consequently, the legal position remains clear and unambiguous: the said Ibadan Convention stands nullified, and any structure emanating therefrom has no legal foundation,” Senator Ohuabunwa stated.

On the strength of that position, the faction affirmed the Mohammed–Anyanwu leadership.

“Accordingly, the leadership structure of the Party under Alhaji Abdulrahman Mohammed as National Chairman and Senator Samuel Nnaemeka Anyanwu as National Secretary remains the valid and stabilizing authority to guide the affairs of the Party at the national level,” Senator Ohuabunwa added.

But in a sharply different reading, the BoT led by former Senate President, Adolphus Wabara, said the same judgment had effectively swept away all existing leadership structures.

Wabara argued that the nullification of the Ibadan convention created a vacuum, placing responsibility for the party’s direction on the BoT.

“The consequential invalidation of both the Abdulrahman Mohammed and Kabiru Tanimu Turaki-led Working Committees directly places the statutory onus of leadership… on the Board of Trustees,” he said.

He added that the BoT had stepped in to prevent a breakdown at the centre.

“We have assumed control to ensure that there is no leadership vacuum at the national level,” he said.

The clash highlights the central fault line: one camp claims restoration of its leadership; the other insists the ruling cancels all factions and hands temporary authority to the BoT.

Even while asserting control, the Wike-aligned faction acknowledged internal disquiet and called for reconciliation.

“Consequent upon this, the BoT advises the National Working Committee to immediately constitute a National Reconciliation Committee to reach out to all aggrieved members of the party across the country,” Senator Ohuabunwa said.

He urged party members to stay united despite the crisis.

“This is a moment for discipline, loyalty, and collective commitment to the ideals and future of the party,” Senator Ohuabunwa said, adding that the PDP remains resilient, and committed to its mission of providing credible leadership to Nigeria.