The Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party’s Board of Trustees, Adolphus Wabara, has denied reports that he has defected to the African Democratic Congress. Wabara described the media reports as “planted and mischievous” and urged party members and the public to disregard them.
The denial comes after social media reports claimed that Wabara was among the South East leaders who attended an event in Enugu on December 31, where former President Olusegun Obasanjo endorsed the Labour Party’s 2023 presidential candidate, Peter Obi, for the 2027 presidential election. However, Wabara explained that a photograph of him with Obi and Obasanjo, which has been circulating on social media, was actually taken during a visit to Obasanjo’s residence in Abeokuta last year.
Wabara, a former Senate President, emphasized that his membership in the PDP is not in doubt and that he remains committed to the party’s success. He attributed the reports of his defection to “disgruntled elements” seeking to undermine the PDP. Wabara stated, “I’m not only in the PDP but committed to seeing that the PDP bounces back as the ruling national party in 2027.”
The denial is significant, given Wabara’s prominent role in the PDP and the ongoing political maneuvering ahead of the 2027 elections. The PDP is one of the major political parties in Nigeria, and Wabara’s loyalty is seen as crucial to the party’s fortunes. As the political landscape continues to evolve, Wabara’s reaffirmation of his commitment to the PDP is likely to be closely watched by party members and political observers alike. With the 2027 elections on the horizon, the PDP will be seeking to regain its position as a dominant force in Nigerian politics, and Wabara’s role in this effort will be closely monitored.