ABUJA – The Board of Trustees (BoT) of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) is currently holding an emergency meeting at the Bauchi Governors’ Lodge in Abuja to address a deepening internal crisis and operational challenges facing the party.
The meeting, which commenced at 5:30 PM on Monday, is primarily focused on resolving the escalating feud involving Nyesom Wike, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
Wike recently withdrew from peace talks and accused key party leaders, including Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde, of dishonesty.
A source, who asked not to be named, told newsmen: “The BoT is trying to sort out the issues with Wike. He pulled out of the peace talks and accused leaders like Seyi Makinde of not being truthful.”
Key figures present at the PDP BoT include Acting National Chairman Umar Iliya Damagum; Governor of Enugu State, Peter Ndubuisi Mbah; Governor of Adamawa State, Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri; Governor of Plateau State, Caleb Manasseh Mutfwang; Governor of Bayelsa State, Douye Diri; and Governor of Bauchi State, who is also Chairman of the PDP Governors’ Forum, Bala Abdulkadir Mohammed.
Also in attendance are Governor of Zamfara State, Dauda Lawal; former Senate President and ex-Governor of Kwara State, Abubakar Bukola Saraki; PDP BoT member Ben Nwoye Obi; and retired Navy Commodore Olabode Ibiyinka George.
Others include former Minister of Information Jerry Gana; former Niger State Governor Mu’azu Babangida Aliyu; former Chairman of the PDP Ministers’ Forum, Kabiru Tanimu Turaki; and former Minister of Women Affairs and Social Development, Iyom Josephine Nwogo Anenih, among others.
The ongoing BoT meeting is also expected to address the shutdown of the PDP’s national secretariat, Wadata Plaza, by the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) over unpaid ground rent spanning 28 years.
This unexpected closure has forced the party to relocate its operations and has added a sense of urgency to the discussions.
“They’re also dealing with the fact that the party’s headquarters has been shut down by the FCTA over unpaid rent, which is why they’re meeting at the lodge instead,” the source explained.
The BoT is also considering postponing the planned NEC meeting, which was scheduled for Tuesday. They want to give more time to resolve the internal issues and keep the party united.
“They might push the NEC meeting back to give more time to settle these conflicts,” the source added.
The crisis worsened on Sunday when Wike publicly accused the party leaders and withdrew from reconciliation efforts. This has caused even more confusion within the PDP.
The shutdown of Wadata Plaza, a key symbol of the party, has raised questions about how well the PDP manages its finances and operations.
Today’s BoT meeting is very important for the party as its outcomes could significantly influence the PDP’s ability to unify and strategise effectively ahead of upcoming political battles.