Leaders of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) faction loyal to FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, have called for unity and stability as the party convened its 86th Board of Trustees (BoT) meeting amid lingering leadership disputes that have unsettled the opposition party in recent months.
The meeting, attended by senior party figures and stakeholders, comes at a critical moment as the PDP continues to grapple with internal divisions that have led to legal battles and competing leadership claims.
Chairman of the Board of Trustees, Mao Ohuabunwa, described the gathering as a “defining moment” for the party, urging members to reflect calmly and remain committed to the party’s constitutional principles.
According to Ohuabunwa, the Board of Trustees serves as the moral compass of the party.
“As custodians of its soul, its values, and its constitutional integrity, we must approach this moment with a sense of responsibility and unity,” he said.
He noted that recent ward and local government congresses conducted across the country were largely peaceful and transparent, describing them as evidence that the party remains anchored in grassroots participation.
“These exercises demonstrate that the PDP remains deeply rooted in participatory democracy and the will of its members at the grassroots,” he said.
Ohuabunwa added that the upcoming state congresses scheduled for the weekend would further strengthen the party’s organisational structures across the federation.
The BoT chairman also spoke on preparations for the party’s national convention scheduled for March 29 and 30, describing it as an opportunity to reposition the PDP and reaffirm its commitment to democratic principles and national service.
“This will provide an opportunity for the party to further reposition itself and reaffirm its commitment to democratic principles, unity, and national service,” he said.
Addressing ongoing legal disputes, Ohuabunwa acknowledged a recent ruling by the Court of Appeal of Nigeria which affirmed the legitimacy of the National Caretaker Committee led by Abdulrahman Mohammed.
“These judicial pronouncements have provided much-needed clarity and stability within the party,” he said, adding that the PDP would continue to respect the rule of law and abide by the provisions of its constitution.
He also urged party members to participate in the ongoing electronic membership registration exercise, noting that a strong membership database is essential to rebuilding the party’s organisational strength.
Meanwhile, Mohammed, who chairs the National Caretaker Working Committee (NCWC), used the meeting to call for unity among party members as preparations intensify ahead of the 2027 general elections.
He said the caretaker committee recently inspected the National Stadium Abuja as part of preparations for the upcoming national convention.
Mohammed also highlighted a legal victory for the party, noting that the Court of Appeal had delivered judgments in favour of the PDP in nine separate appeals.
Stressing the authority of the caretaker leadership, he maintained that the NCWC remains the party’s only legitimate national leadership body.
“The National Caretaker Working Committee is the only legitimate body that can present candidates in the build-up to the 2027 general elections,” he said, urging stakeholders to rally around the committee.
He also disclosed that the committee would await the Certified True Copy of the court’s judgments before determining further legal steps, including possible proceedings at the Supreme Court if necessary.
The caretaker chairman called on party members to end internal litigation, warning that prolonged court battles could disrupt preparations for future elections.
READ ALSO: PDP Leadership Meets Jonathan as Party Seeks Unity Amid Deepening Crisis
“I want to call on all party stakeholders, leaders and members to unite ourselves for the betterment of our great party. Enough of the litigations that will delay our activities towards the 2027 general elections and off-season elections,” he said.
The BoT meeting comes against the backdrop of a protracted leadership crisis that has troubled the party since November 2025.
Earlier, a faction of PDP governors had backed a convention held in Ibadan on November 15, which produced Kabiru Turaki and other members of a National Working Committee for a four-year tenure.
Leadership had been transferred from former Acting National Chairman Umar Damagum to Turaki before Damagum’s tenure ended in December.
However, a rival faction aligned with the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, later formed a 13-member caretaker committee led by Mohammed, sparking intense disputes within the party.
Attempts by both factions to hold meetings at the PDP national secretariat in Abuja in November descended into chaos, prompting the Nigeria Police Force to temporarily seal the facility.
The dispute eventually moved to the courts, culminating in a ruling by the Court of Appeal on March 9 which declared that the Ibadan convention violated the Electoral Act, the Nigerian Constitution and the PDP’s internal constitution.
The court consequently nullified the convention that produced Turaki and his committee, deepening the urgency for reconciliation within the party as it seeks to rebuild unity ahead of future elections.