Wike-backed PDP faction dissolves NWC, appoints caretaker panel

A faction of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) hasdissolved the national working committee (NWC) and set up a caretaker panel. The caretaker panel was inaugurated on Sunday during ameeting of the national executive committee (NEC) held at the residence ofNyesom Wike, minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT). The 13-member committee is expected to run the party’saffairs for 60 days, pending the conduct of a national convention. Abdulrahman Mohammed chairs the committee, with SamuelAnyanwu as secretary. Other members are Kamaldeen Ajibade (national legaladviser), Umar Bature (national organising secretary), Kyari Grema, JangudaMohammed, Okechukwu Osuana, Nwogu Olaka, Sandy Onor, Adenike Ogunse, BisiKolawole, Deji Doherty, and Ibrahim Aboki. BACKGROUNDThe tenure of the PDP NWC elected in October 2021 willelapse on Tuesday. Last month, a faction of the party backed by the PDPgovernors, including Bala Mohammed, governor of Bauchi; and Seyi Makinde ofOyo; held a convention and elected new NWC members, with Kabiru Turaki as chairman. During the convention, the PDP expelled Wike and his allies— Ayodele Fayose, former governor of Oyo; Anyanwu, Bature, Ajibade, MaoOhuabunwa, former lawmaker; Austin Nwachukwu, former Imo state PDP chairman;Amah Nnanna Abraham, former Abia state PDP chairman; Dan Orbih, former nationalvice-chairman (south-south); and Turnah George. The Wike group rejected the expulsion and has formed aparallel NWC, board of trustees (BoT), and NEC. In a tit-for-tat, the Wike faction also expelled members ofthe Makinde faction.

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