Adolphus Wabara, former senator and Chairman of the Board of Trustees of Nigeria’s Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), has declared that the opposition party will endure and regain strength despite ongoing internal challenges. Wabara made the statement during the official launch of the PDP’s online membership registration exercise in Umuahia, Abia State, on Tuesday.
The event, which also featured a stakeholders’ meeting and the inauguration of Local Government Caretaker Committee leadership, marks a significant step in the party’s reorganization efforts under the National Working Committee. Responding directly to concerns about the PDP’s recent struggles—primarily tied to unresolved leadership disputes—Wabara asserted the party’s permanence. “The PDP can never die,” he told supporters, emphasizing that systematic actions are being taken to resolve internal issues and reposition the party for future electoral contests.
Wabara’s address came as the PDP, Nigeria’s main opposition party, seeks to rebuild after losing the presidency in 2015 and facing fragmented state-level leadership. The new digital membership drive is presented as a critical tool for broadening participation and reinforcing the party’s grassroots structure. He praised the Abia State PDP Caretaker Committee Chairman, Ikpegbu Emeka-Yellow, for demonstrating effective leadership since his appointment, using it as a model for the broader renewal process.
A key part of Wabara’s message was a directive to party elders to abandon past practices of “godfatherism” and instead foster inclusive opportunities for all members. He argued that the party’s revival depends on internal democracy and collective ownership, warning that repeating old mistakes would undermine rebuilding efforts. The caretaker committee system, recently adopted by the national leadership, is intended to provide neutral interim leadership in conflicted states and ensure a smoother transition to elected executives.
The PDP’s leadership has repeatedly stated that the online registration platform will enhance transparency, expand its database, and attract new members ahead of the 2027 general election cycle. Wabara concluded that with disciplined leadership and active involvement from the rank and file, the party is poised for renewed growth and a robust performance in future polls. The Umuahia event is being framed as a practical milestone in that long-term strategy.
