Wike’s PDP bloc scraps National Working Committee, Installs Interim panel

A faction of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has dissolved the national working committee (NWC) and set up a caretaker panel.

The caretaker panel was inaugurated on Sunday during a meeting of the national executive committee (NEC) held at the residence of Nyesom Wike, minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

The 13-member committee is expected to run the party’s affairs for 60 days, pending the conduct of a national convention.

Abdulrahman Mohammed chairs the committee, with Samuel Anyanwu as secretary.

Other members are Kamaldeen Ajibade (national legal adviser), Umar Bature (national organising secretary), Kyari Grema, Janguda Mohammed, Okechukwu Osuana, Nwogu Olaka, Sandy Onor, Adenike Ogunse, Bisi Kolawole, Deji Doherty, and Ibrahim Aboki.

BACKGROUND

The tenure of the PDP NWC elected in October 2021 will elapse on Tuesday.

Last month, a faction of the party backed by the PDP governors, including Bala Mohammed, governor of Bauchi; and Seyi Makinde of Oyo; 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, Mao Ohuabunwa, former lawmaker; Austin Nwachukwu, former Imo state PDP chairman; Amah Nnanna Abraham, former Abia state PDP chairman; Dan Orbih, former national vice-chairman (south-south); and Turnah George.

The Wike group rejected the expulsion and has formed a parallel NWC, board of trustees (BoT), and NEC.

TheCable