BREAKING: PDP leadership crisis worsens as stakeholders reject BoT’s decision

The ongoing leadership crisis within the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has intensified as key stakeholders challenge the legitimacy of the party’s Board of Trustees (BoT), declaring its recent decisions “null and void.”......CONTINUE READING THE ARTICLE FROM THE SOURCE>>>>>

The controversy stems from disagreements over the BoT’s tenure, with some party members arguing that the board’s mandate has expired, while others insist it still has the authority to provide leadership during this turbulent period.

Reports indicate that 85 out of 127 BoT members have been absent from recent meetings, raising concerns about the board’s ability to form a quorum and make valid decisions.

Critics, particularly those opposed to the leadership of Senator Adolphus Wabara, claim the BoT is operating without constitutional legitimacy, rendering its resolutions ineffective.

The crisis within the PDP has been brewing since the aftermath of the 2023 general elections, further exacerbated by internal power struggles, particularly the fierce battle over the National Secretary position between Sunday Ude-Okoye and Senator Samuel Anyanwu.

The legal battle over the position took a decisive turn when the Appeal Court ruled in favor of Ude-Okoye as the party’s National Secretary.

However, Anyanwu and his supporters have continued to challenge the ruling.

The tension escalated on January 28 when Anyanwu’s loyalists stormed a BoT meeting and forcefully removed Ude-Okoye, prompting security operatives to intervene.

Amid the turmoil, PDP governors, led by Bauchi State Governor Bala Mohammed, have thrown their weight behind Ude-Okoye, calling on the party’s National Working Committee (NWC) to enforce the court ruling..

Despite this, Anyanwu remains defiant, petitioning both the police and judiciary to recognize his claim to the office.

He argued that the BoT’s endorsement of Ude-Okoye lacks legal merit since most board members’ tenures have expired.

PDP Deputy National Youth Leader, Timothy Osadolor, also questioned the legitimacy of the BoT, stating that more than 70% of its members are inactive or ineligible.

He accused Wabara of exploiting the crisis for personal gain rather than working towards the party’s stability.

“Over 70% of the BoT members have overstayed their tenure, and at least 15 of them are facing severe health challenges. The board, as currently constituted, lacks the required quorum to deliberate on or make decisions,” Osadolor stated.

“Wabara knows the BoT under his leadership is merely a shell, yet he continues to hold meetings across the country, seemingly for his personal interest rather than the party’s benefit,” he added.

Defending the board, BoT member Senator Umar Ibrahim-Tsauri admitted that some members’ tenures had expired but insisted that the board was acting within the party’s constitutional framework to maintain stability.

“It is true that the tenure of some BoT members has lapsed. However, given the crisis the party is currently facing, the board has invoked Section 32(6) of the PDP constitution, which empowers it to regulate its proceedings,” Ibrahim-Tsauri explained.

He further noted that the BoT has directed state and zonal executives to nominate replacements for vacant positions.

“The PDP is undergoing serious internal challenges, and it is not surprising that some individuals are introducing distractions that do not contribute to the party’s progress. BoT members are experienced politicians and legal experts; they would not deliberately engage in actions that could be considered illegal,” he added.