PDP Hierarchy Slams Door on Wabara’s Takeover Bid; Claims Former Senate President’s Tenure Expired as Factional War Explodes Over S’Court Verdict

The battle for the soul of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has descended into a “war of words” following the Supreme Court’s decision to kill off the Ibadan National Convention. Less than 24 hours after Senator Adolphus Wabara announced that the Board of Trustees (BoT) had seized control of the party to prevent a “leadership vacuum,” the party’s National Secretariat has fired back, describing the move as an “illegal attempt to hijack power.”

Addressing a packed press conference at Wadata Plaza on Friday and Saturday, the National Publicity Secretary, Haruna Mohammed Jagunda, warned Wabara to “retrace his steps.” Jagunda dropped a political bombshell by claiming that Wabara’s own tenure as BoT Chairman has long since expired, rendering his “takeover” declaration null and void. According to the party’s records, Senator Mao Ohuabunwa is the recognized head of the BoT, and the party’s daily operations remain firmly in the hands of the Abdulrahman Mohammed-led executive.

“Let it be clear and unambiguous: the Supreme Court judgment did not sack the leadership of this party,” Jagunda told reporters. “It only addressed the validity of a specific gathering in Ibadan. There is no vacuum, there is no obstruction, and there is certainly no room for unauthorized persons to go on television and claim they are in charge.”

The crisis centers on a fundamental disagreement over what the Supreme Court actually said. While the Wabara and Tanimu Turaki factions argue the judgment left the party “headless” by upholding the suspension of key officers like Sam Anyanwu, the Wadata Plaza group (largely seen as Wike-aligned) insists the court stayed away from the “internal room” of party appointments.

The rift is already tearing through the sub-nationals. In a defiant move, the Abia State PDP Chairman, Ikpegbu Emeka-Yellow, threw his weight behind Wabara, praising the BoT for moving to stop “political rascality.” Conversely, Kogi Central Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan has called for a “ceasefire,” urging both sides to stop the “propaganda wars” before the 2027 transition cycle is completely derailed.

With two different “National Chairmen” and two different “BoT Chairmen” all claiming legitimacy, the PDP is currently navigating a “dangerous bend.” As the 2027 primary season approaches, the inability of the elders to agree on who holds the keys to the secretariat is leaving many grassroots members wondering if the “Umbrella” will be patched up in time for the next election.