The crisis within the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has deepened as stakeholders clash over the legitimacy of its Board of Trustees (BoT).
While some party members argue that the BoT’s tenure has expired, others insist that its leadership retains the authority to steer the party through turbulent times.
Reports indicate that 85 of the 127 BoT members have been absent from recent meetings, raising concerns over the board’s ability to form a quorum and make binding decisions.
Critics claim that the Senator Adolphus Wabara-led BoT is acting without constitutional backing, rendering its decisions invalid.
The PDP has been grappling with internal discord since the 2023 elections, exacerbated by leadership disputes.
The battle over the National Secretary position between Sunday Ude-Okoye and Senator Samuel Anyanwu has further fueled tensions.
A recent Appeal Court ruling confirmed Ude-Okoye as National Secretary, but Anyanwu and his supporters continue to challenge the decision.
On January 28, a confrontation erupted when Anyanwu’s loyalists forcefully removed Ude-Okoye from a BoT meeting, prompting security intervention.
PDP governors, led by Bauchi State Governor Bala Mohammed, have since backed Ude-Okoye, urging the party’s National Working Committee to enforce the court ruling.
However, Anyanwu remains defiant, petitioning the police and judiciary to recognize his claim to the position. He argued that the BoT’s endorsement of Ude-Okoye lacks legal standing, as most members’ tenures have expired.
PDP Deputy National Youth Leader Timothy Osadolor also denounced the BoT’s recent actions, insisting that over 70% of its members are either inactive or ineligible. He accused Wabara of exploiting the situation for personal gain.
“Over 70 per cent of the current BoT members’ tenures have long expired, and nearly 15 of them are already facing physical health challenges. Therefore, the BoT is not currently properly constituted and does not have the necessary numbers to form a quorum to sit, address, or speak on any issues.
“Now, Wabara, knowing that the BoT he presides over is merely a shell in name and lacks substance, is going ahead with all these meetings across the country which seem to aim only for his personal aggrandisement, rather than the betterment of the party.
“In the name of God and everything that is worth integrity, they should not refer to themselves as members of the BoT. Their tenures have expired. They are PDP elders,” Osadolor told Punch.
In defence, a BoT member, Senator Umar Ibrahim-Tsauri, acknowledged the tenure expiration issue but maintained that the board is acting within the party’s constitution to prevent further instability.
He stated that the BoT has instructed state and zonal executives to nominate replacements for expired positions.
“It is true that the tenures of some of the BOT members have expired. But due to the sad, unfortunate, and avoidable situation the party is experiencing, the board decided to rely on section 32 (6) of the party’s constitution which gives it the power to regulate its proceedings.
“It should be noted that the board has already instructed all state and zonal executive committees to bring their nominations to replace those whose tenure has expired.
“The PDP is in a deep challenge caused by an internal crisis. So, it is not a surprise that people continue to bring in something unwarranted, unimportant, and not useful to the progress and stability of the party.
“You don’t expect the BoT members to sit down and act illegally with their experiences. All the members have earned a reputation over the years.
“How do you expect them to knowingly commit an act that will be regarded as null and void? Remember they are all elder statesmen. In fact, some of them are even Senior Advocates of Nigeria,” Ibrahim-Tsauri said.