Nigeria’s Opposition Lawmakers Coalition of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) has urged party members and the public to disregard recent reports of the purported suspension of Senator Adolphus Wabara, the esteemed Chairman of the Board of Trustees (BoT). According to the coalition’s spokesperson, Hon. Ikenga Ugochinyere, the alleged suspension is nothing more than a politically engineered fabrication by a faction aligned with former National Secretary Samuel Anyanwu, ex-Abia State Governor Okezie Ikpeazu, and other associates loyal to Minister of FCT Nyesom Wike.
Speaking at a press conference on Tuesday, Ugochinyere denounced the suspension claims as “null and void,” emphasizing that they have no basis in the PDP Constitution as amended in 2017. “This is an attempt to ridicule the efforts of Senator Wabara, who has been working tirelessly to find sustainable solutions to our party’s challenges. How can you say you’re suspending the National Board of Trustees Chairman—a member of the National Executive Committee—when the constitution expressly forbids such action?” he asserted.
Ugochinyere’s statement came in response to widespread rumblings and politically motivated narratives that have been circulating on social media and within party circles. These rumors purported that certain elements, allegedly backed by high-ranking government officials from the Villa, had moved to suspend Senator Wabara. However, the Opposition Lawmakers Coalition quickly refuted these claims, stressing that the authority to discipline or suspend a member of the National Executive Committee lies solely with the National Working Committee (NWC) of the PDP.
Citing Section 57(7) of the PDP Constitution (as amended in 2017), Ugochinyere clarified, “No Executive Committee at any level, except the National Executive Committee, shall entertain any question of discipline as may relate or concern a member of the National Executive Committee. This means that no State Working Committee, including the Abia State Chapter, has the power to suspend our BoT Chairman.” His remarks leave no doubt: Senator Adolphus Wabara remains the unshakeable and legally recognized Chairman of the Board of Trustees, and any purported suspension is simply an exercise in political subterfuge.
The coalition’s press release also accused the pro-Wike faction—a group that includes disgruntled figures such as former National Secretary Samuel Anyanwu and ex-Governor Okezie Ikpeazu—of trying to destabilize the union’s leadership and, by extension, the PDP as a whole. “The suspension is the figment of the imagination of these pro-Wike group elements. They are out to destroy our party, and their political madness is evident in their attempts to destabilize the Board of Trustees,” Ugochinyere declared. “You cannot suspend the National Board of Trustees Chairman because it is clearly prohibited by our constitution. The PDP is dead on arrival for these rogue elements.”
According to Ugochinyere, the alleged suspension was carried out in a manner that is both reckless and unconstitutional, conducted at the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) ministry without any legitimate mandate. He further warned that such actions are designed to serve the interests of a faction seeking to undermine the unity and stability of the PDP. “For their information and for those who care, the National Board of Trustees Chairman remains Senator Adolphus Wabara, and nothing these Pro-Wike groups can do will change that,” he stressed.
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This latest development adds fuel to an already heated internal struggle within the PDP, where factionalism and power plays have become increasingly prevalent. Many party members and stakeholders are now calling on the Federal Government and key regulatory bodies to step in and enforce the PDP Constitution, ensuring that all disciplinary and administrative actions are handled at the national level, as mandated by the constitution.
Political analysts observe that such internal disputes not only threaten to weaken the PDP but also provide an opening for rival political parties—most notably the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC)—to exploit the resulting disunity in future elections. “When high-profile positions such as the Chairmanship of the Board of Trustees are threatened by baseless suspensions, it erodes the party’s credibility. The PDP must maintain internal order to remain a viable political force,” commented one senior political strategist.
The Opposition Lawmakers Coalition’s call to disregard the false suspension has been echoed by several other prominent figures within the party, who stress that the focus must now remain on addressing the country’s pressing political and socio-economic challenges. As the PDP prepares for upcoming electoral contests, its ability to present a united front and adhere to its constitutional framework will be critical in restoring public confidence.
Recall that PDP National Working Committee has made it clear that the purported suspension of Senator Adolphus Wabara is both baseless and unconstitutional. By invoking the precise provisions of the PDP Constitution, the Opposition Lawmakers Coalition has sent a strong message: no individual or faction is above the law, and any attempt to subvert the party’s established governance structure will be met with decisive action. For now, Senator Wabara remains the undisputed and unshakeable Chairman of the Board of Trustees—a position that the coalition and loyal PDP members will fiercely defend as they work to build a more stable and united party in the run-up to the next national elections.
