There is no end in sight to the crisis rocking the main opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), as the Abia State chapter, on Wednesday, insisted that the chairman of the Board of Trustees, Senator Adolphus Wabara, remain suspended.
Countering the party’s National Working Committee’s declaration of the suspension as illegal, the Abia PDP leadership insisted that there was no going back.
The Abia State Working Committee of the party had on Tuesday announced Wabara’s suspension for allegedly endorsing Abia State Governor, Alex Otti, a member of the Labour Party, for a second term in office.
The state PDP termed Wabara’s endorsement of Otti as an anti-party activity, thereby suspending him.
But in a swift reaction, the NWC, in a statement in Abuja by the National Publicity Secretary, Debo Ologunagba, rejected the suspension, which it declared illegal.
However, pushing back on Wednesday, the Abia PDP, in a statement by its chairman, Elder Abraham Amah, insisted that Wabara’s suspension was legal.
Amah said the Abia chapter noted “ the statement issued by the National Publicity Secretary of our great Party, Hon. Debo Ologunagba, purportedly dismissing the suspension of the Chairman of the Board of Trustees (BoT), Senator Adolphus Wabara.
“We categorically state that the decision of the Abia State Executive Committee to suspend Senator Wabara met every constitutional requirement of the party and cannot be invalidated by a mere statement from the National Publicity Secretary, which is not a by-product of any official resolution of the National Working Committee.
“For the avoidance of doubt, the Abia State PDP, in taking this decision, relied on the provisions of the PDP Constitution (as amended in 2017).
“Section 58(1)(b) & (h) – This section provides that a member of the Party may be sanctioned for engaging in anti-party activities or any conduct likely to bring the Party into disrepute. The endorsement of a sitting governor from another political party, as done by Senator Wabara, clearly constitutes a violation of this provision.
“Section 59(3) explicitly states that the Board of Trustees is not immune from disciplinary actions, where necessary. As such, the decision to sanction Senator Wabara is well within the powers of the Abia State PDP.
“Section 59(4) affirms that the party can take disciplinary actions against any member whose conduct contravenes the principles of the PDP, further reinforcing the legality of the SEC’s decision.”
Amah said while Ologunagba referenced Section 57(7) of the party’s constitution, “he conveniently ignored Section 57(6), which provides that the power to take disciplinary action against any member is vested in the relevant executive committees at all levels of the Party, subject to due process.”
He stated, “The Abia PDP has acted within this legal framework. Furthermore, we affirm that only a competent court of law or the National Executive Committee of the PDP has the authority to overturn the decision of the Abia State Executive Committee. Until such a competent authority pronounces otherwise, the suspension of Senator Wabara remains in full effect.”
The Abia PDP chairman, therefore, urged the National Publicity Secretary to “exercise restraint and avoid issuing statements that lack constitutional basis or mislead the public.”
“ The PDP, as a party, must uphold discipline and accountability at all levels, and no individual, regardless of position, is above the Constitution of the party.
“As a state chapter, we shall not hesitate to seek appropriate judicial redress should any attempt be made to subvert the decision of the Abia PDP SEC through unconstitutional means.”
Disciplinary panel reschedules
Meanwhile, the PDP National Disciplinary Committee, led by former Minister of Foreign Affairs Tom Ikimi, adjourned its proceedings for two weeks to allow former Benue State Governor, Samuel Ortom, embattled National Secretary, Samuel Anyanwu, and others to prepare for their appearance.
Ikimi, the committee chairman, announced the adjournment on Wednesday after a three-hour closed-door session at Legacy House, Maitama, Abuja.
It was earlier reported that Anyanwu would be absent due to medical reasons, while Ortom claimed he had not received an official invitation.
Last Thursday, the Ikimi-led committee had issued a statement, summoning Ortom, Anyanwu, and 10 others to appear before it on Wednesday, February 12, 2025, at Legacy House.
However, the identities of the other 10 invitees remain undisclosed, as both Ikimi and Committee Secretary Eyitayo Jegede (SAN) declined to provide further details.
Since the 2023 presidential election, the PDP has been embroiled in internal conflicts, with some members accusing others of undermining the party’s interests.
In response, the PDP National Working Committee established the disciplinary committee on August 21, mandating it to review petitions, hear both sides and make recommendations to the National Executive Committee.
However, nearly five months after its formation, the party’s crisis has deepened.
The battle for the position of National Secretary has particularly escalated, with both former National Youth Leader Sunday Ude-Okoye and Anyanwu laying claim to the position.
Despite Ude-Okoye’s backing from the Board of Trustees (led by former Senate President Adolphus Wabara) and the Governors Forum (chaired by Bauchi State Governor Bala Mohammed), the dispute remains unresolved, further tarnishing the party’s image.
While Ikimi acknowledged receiving five petitions, a senior National Working Committee member, speaking anonymously, revealed that nearly 30 petitions had been submitted to the committee.
Addressing journalists after the meeting, Ikimi stated: “Last Wednesday, we reviewed the various petitions before us and scheduled two for hearing today—one against the National Secretary, Senator Samuel Anyanwu, and the other against the former Benue State Governor, Dr. Samuel Ortom.
“Petitions were served to them both directly and via courier, and there is evidence that they were delivered.
“We could not proceed due to correspondence received from those petitioned. Senator Anyanwu informed us that he was unwell and had a medical appointment, submitting a letter from his doctor requesting another date.
“In the case of Ortom and others, they claimed they did not receive the invitations, but we are confident they were delivered. As a result, we have decided to reschedule the hearing to March 4.
“We believe all will be well, and we assure everyone that the committee will be fair to all parties involved.”
NWC affirms Udeh-Okoye
The PDP NWC, on Wednesday, affirmed Udeh-Okoye as the party’s National Secretary.
In a statement issued by the National Publicity Secretary, Debo Ologunagba, the NWC declared that it was bound by the judgment of the Court of Appeal, which recognized Ude-Okoye’s position.
Ologunagba stated:”The National Working Committee of the Peoples Democratic Party, at its meeting today, Wednesday, February 12, 2025, extensively considered the memo dated 11th February 2025, presented by the acting National Chairman on the issue of the National Secretary of the PDP.
“The NWC, in considering the memo, thoroughly examined the attached documents, namely: the declaratory judgment of the High Court of Enugu, the Judgment of the Court of Appeal, Enugu Division, which pronounced and declared Rt. Hon. S.K.E Udeh-Okoye as the National Secretary of the PDP; the Legal Opinion and Advice by Dr. Kabiru T. Turaki (SAN), as well as that of the National Legal Adviser of the PDP.”
Following the review, the NWC formally acknowledged and confirmed Udeh-Okoye as the substantive National Secretary, emphasising that there was no superseding judgment or order from a higher court to challenge the Court of Appeal’s decision.
“After due consideration of the memo and the attachments, the NWC overwhelmingly recognises, acknowledges, and confirms Rt. Hon. S.K.E Udeh-Okoye as the substantive National Secretary of the PDP in full compliance with and obedience to the judgment of the Court of Appeal, recognising that there is no subsisting or superseding judgment or order from any court of superior authority or hierarchy.”
The NWC also announced that it had begun transmitting its resolution affirming Udeh-Okoye’s position to the Independent National Electoral Commission and other relevant bodies for official recognition.
“The NWC has commenced the transmission of its Resolution/Decision affirming Rt. Hon. S.K.E Udeh-Okoye as the PDP National Secretary to the Independent National Electoral Commission and other relevant bodies for recognition in line with the judgment of the Court of Appeal.”
The NWC expressed appreciation to PDP leaders, members, and stakeholders for their loyalty and adherence to the rule of law during this period of internal party disputes.
It reassured party members of its commitment to upholding the PDP Constitution, fostering stability and democracy, and prioritizing the well-being of Nigerians.
