PDP Inaugurates Lagos Caretaker Committee Amid Leadership Crisis

A faction of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) aligned with Federal Capital Territory Minister Nyesom Wike has inaugurated a 19‑member State Caretaker Committee to oversee the party’s affairs in Lagos State. This move comes after a fresh twist in the PDP’s ongoing national leadership crisis, when the Wike‑backed National Working Committee (NWC) announced the dissolution of several state party executives, including those in Lagos. The factional NWC, chaired by Alhaji Abdulraman Mohammed with Senator Samuel Anyanwu as National Secretary, has been at the centre of the dispute.

At the inauguration ceremony in Ikeja, Deputy National Secretary of the factional NWC, Mr Adedeji Doherty, criticised some party members for blatantly disregarding the PDP constitution. He accused certain leaders, including Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde and Chief Olabode George, of exacerbating the internal crisis. The newly constituted caretaker committee enjoys the backing of “recognised PDP leaders” and aims to revive the party. Doherty urged members to close ranks, described the November PDP convention as illegitimate, and alleged it violated democratic principles. He maintained that Mohammed remains the lawful National Chairman of the party.

The Lagos caretaker committee, chaired by Mr Kayode Ogunbiyi, has been tasked with rebuilding the party structure in the state. Its primary assignment must be completed within a short period, with a mandate to fast‑track schedules and report back to the National Secretariat within six weeks. Ogunbiyi assured that utmost decorum and discipline would be maintained at all levels of administration and encouraged women and youths to participate in forthcoming congresses. The committee will commence congresses at the ward, local government, zonal, state and South‑West zonal levels from 9 January 2026, with the process expected to conclude within 60 days.

The development has been described as “a new beginning and a rebirth of the PDP in the state” by the immediate past PDP Vice Chairman for Lagos Central, Mr Hakeem Olalemi. The party’s internal crisis has forced many prominent figures out of the PDP, and the newly inaugurated committee now faces the task of rebuilding and restoring order. With the 2027 general elections approaching, the leadership crisis and internal divisions may affect the party’s chances of unseating the incumbent president. The faction’s support for President Bola Tinubu’s potential second term has also raised questions about the party’s strategy and unity.