Sunday Ehigiator
The National Working Committee (NWC), a faction of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) loyal to Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister, Nyesom Wike, has inaugurated a 19-member State Control Committee (CTC) of the party in Lagos State.
The national leadership crisis rocking the PDP recently took a new dimension when the Wike-backed NWC disbanded the party’s state executive in some states, including Lagos State.
The factional PDP NWC is led by Mr Alhaji Abdulrahman Mohammed as the National Chairman and Senator Samuel Anyanwu as the National Secretary.
The Deputy National Secretary of the faction, NWC, Mr. Adeji Doherty, who represented the National Chairman at the inauguration ceremony in Ikeja, condemned what he described as disregard for the party constitution.
Doherty, a former Lagos State PDP chairman and governorship candidate, blamed some PDP leaders, including Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde and Chief Olabode George, for the protracted crisis in the party.
According to him, PDP leaders support the new CTC and hence the need for the party to unite with a view to revitalizing the party’s fortunes.
“We are issuing red cards to those bent on destroying the PDP. The PDP is very important to us. Today marks a new chapter in the evolution of our democracy and the party.”
“We have heard a lot about court rulings and contradictory rulings on who is the real chairman of PDP.
“As far as we are concerned and as far as the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) is concerned, the Ibadan national conference that gave rise to the Tanim Turaki-led PDP national working committee should not have taken place,” he said.
Mr Doherty described November’s PDP convention as a kangaroo process, saying it was undemocratic and lacked legitimacy.
According to him, Alhaji Abdulrahman Mohammed remains the bona fide national chairman of the party.
Doherty advised the newly formed interim committee to strictly abide by the party constitution and related regulations, and said the executive would hold a party convention starting in January.
“I want the new management committee to lead in that way. We must give this party back to the youth. We must not go against the party’s doctrine and constitution.
“PDP in Lagos State is going to undergo a serious change of direction. I call on all those who left PDP in Lagos for whatever reason to come back and take up management positions.”
“We must work together to rebuild the party again. Rebuilding the party at this time is more important to us than who becomes president in 2027.”
On the issue of the 2027 general elections and the Southern Presidency, Doherty said there would be no problem if the PDP supported President Bola Tinubu of the All Progressives Congress (APC) to complete a second term in the region.
“It does not mean that we will abandon PDP and declare to join APC. It also does not mean that they cannot return when we see PDP governors declaring to join APC.”
“I believe in Mr. Wike’s decision to support President Bola Tinubu in 2027. That is his prerogative.”
He said the PDP could also field a presidential candidate in 2027, but it was doubtful whether there was another candidate in the South with the smarts and qualifications to unseat Tinubu.
“It’s going to be a lot of work,” he said.
He said he had kicked out many PDP leaders from the party, accusing it of total disregard for the party’s constitution and etiquette.
NAN reports that Mrs. Yemisi Oshodi, a legal practitioner, was sworn in at the event by the Management Committee chaired by Elder Kayode Ogunbiyi.
The inauguration ceremony was witnessed by some PDP leaders, including the party’s state secretary, Soji Orioye.
Other members of the Caretaker Committee are Elder Adel Bankole (Vice Chairman) and Mr. Jamiu Awofala (Secretary).
They also include Mr. Akinro Bolaji, Mr. Ege Allen, Mr. Audu Salami, Mr. Gani Ogunbayi, Mr. Ola Odunwa, Mr. Samson Fundein, Mr. Adebimpe Mariam and Mr. Solomon Yusuf.
In his welcome address, Mr. Ogunbiyi, the newly appointed Interim Chairman of the Lagos PDP, said the committee is made up of 19 members tasked with rebuilding the party.
“Our mission must be accomplished in a short period of time. We must therefore accelerate our schedule and report to the National Secretariat within six weeks from today.”
“We do not have time. We will ensure that the utmost civility and discipline is maintained at all levels of the administration.
“We do not tolerate any form of assault or battery against our innocent members.
“We also do not tolerate any form of abuse on social media by those who spread false information.
“Whatever steps we take will be subject to the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, relevant laws, party constitution and court decisions,” he said.
Ogunbiyi said the new leadership would encourage women and youths from all local governments to fully participate in the upcoming parliament.
“We appeal to those who recently left the party due to internal disputes to return and support the party at this time.
“We need the cooperation of all to restore order, discipline and inclusivity in the interest of the House of Representatives and the entire Lagos electorate,” he added.
Mr. Ogunbiyi announced that in accordance with the declaration of the Abdulrahman-led NWC, all parliaments that were said to have been held between August and September would be canceled and dissolved.
He said the caretaker committees would begin new parliamentary sessions at ward, ward, local government, provincial and south-west levels from January 9, 2026, and would be held within 60 days.
In his address, the outgoing PDP Vice-Chairman (Lagos Central), Mr. Hakeem Olaremi, described the inauguration as “a new beginning and rebirth of the PDP in the state”.
