The National Working Committee (NWC) of Nigeria’s Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has installed a caretaker committee to manage its affairs in Abia State, a move immediately contested by a faction within the state chapter.
The inauguration, led by the party’s top national leadership, appoints Mr. Ikpegbu Emeka-Yello as chairman of the new committee. His assignment follows a prolonged leadership dispute that has paralyzed the state party organisation.
Speaking at the ceremony, PDP Southeast Vice Chairman Ali Odefa charged the committee to “keep the flag flying” amidwhat he termed deliberate internal and external efforts to destabilize the party. Odefa stated that for over a year, “anti-democratic forces” have targeted the PDP’s structures. He explained that consolidated legal cases concerning the party’s leadership are now pending at the Court of Appeal, with judgment reserved.
Odefa praised the appointed chairman, Ikpegbu Emeka-Yello, as experienced and capable of navigating the challenging assignment. In his acceptance speech, Ikpegbu described the role as “a call to service, sacrifice and selfless leadership.” He acknowledged the severe leadership crisis that had weakened the PDP’s Abia State structures and morale, stating that reconciliation would be the caretaker committee’s central mission.
However, the inauguration has been rejected by the faction within the Abia PDP loyal to former Rivers State Governor Nyesom Wike, a prominent PDP figure. This faction has declared the caretaker committee illegal, deepening the internal conflict.
The development underscores the persistent internal strife within one of Nigeria’s major political parties. The outcome of the pending appellate court decision is expected to be decisive for the legitimacy of both the caretaker committee and the rival faction. The NWC’s intervention aims to restore functional party machinery in Abia State ahead of future electoral cycles, but its success hinges on navigating the existing legal and political opposition.
