Ohabunwa named PDP BoT Chairman amid factional shake-up

Ohabunwa named PDP BoT Chairman amid factional shake-up

In a significant development within the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), former Senator Mao Ohabunwa has been elected as the new Chairman of the party’s Board of Trustees (BoT). The announcement was made on Friday following a high-level meeting convened at the official residence of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister, Nyesom Wike, in Abuja.

The meeting, led by Acting National Chairman Abdulrahman Mohammed, also saw the emergence of Hon. Isah Dansidi as the BoT Secretary, replacing Senator Ahmed Makarfi. The reshuffle marks a decisive shift in the party’s leadership structure, with Abdulrahman emphasizing a renewed commitment to the founding principles of the PDP — justice, fairness, inclusivity, and respect for the rule of law.

“We have come together not merely to inaugurate a new board of trustees but to renew our faith in the ideals that gave birth to this great political family,” Abdulrahman declared during the inauguration. He attributed the party’s recent internal crises to a departure from core values, citing the abandonment of zoning principles before the 2015 elections as a turning point.

The shake-up follows the suspension of former BoT Chairman Senator Adolphus Wabara by the Abia State chapter of the PDP. Abdulrahman described the move as “difficult but necessary,” accusing the previous board of losing its moral compass and compromising neutrality amid ongoing leadership disputes.

READ ALSO:

• COAS Shaibu rallies troops for decisive offensive against Boko Haram, ISWAP
• Pretty Mike, associate granted ₦50m bail over drug charges
• Super Falcons star Chiamaka Nnadozie nominated for 2025 FIFA best goalkeeper award

A communiqué issued after the meeting stated that Wabara and Makarfi had “publicly taken positions” in the party’s internal crisis, undermining the impartiality expected of BoT members. The newly constituted board, according to the faction, aims to restore integrity and unity within the party.

Abdulrahman pledged to reposition the PDP through transparent leadership, respect for judicial decisions, and fair congresses. “Under this new leadership, the PDP will never again be held hostage by impunity, manipulation, or disregard for its own constitution,” he said.

The event was attended by key party figures including PDP National Secretary Samuel Anyanwu and FCT Minister Nyesom Wike, signaling strong support from influential quarters within the party.

This development comes amid deepening factional tensions within the PDP, with rival camps vying for control and legitimacy. While the Abdulrahman-led faction insists on reform and moral restoration, others remain aligned with former acting chairman Umar Damagun, raising questions about the party’s unity ahead of future elections.

Ohabunwa named PDP BoT Chairman amid factional shake-up