PDP Inaugurates New BoT Members in Abuja

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) officially inaugurated new members of its Board of Trustees (BoT) on Monday, May 12, 2025, at its National Executive Committee (NEC) Hall, Wadata Plaza, Abuja. The event, which commenced at 11 a.m., marks a significant attempt by the party to reposition its internal leadership structure amid rising challenges and political realignments.

A circular signed by PDP’s Director of Publicity, Chinwe Nnorom, and exclusively obtained by OpitanglobaMedia News, confirmed the inauguration. The document emphasized the strategic importance of the BoT, describing it as “the conscience of the party,” entrusted with upholding morality, advising on policy, and ensuring the party’s assets are safeguarded.

This inauguration comes after a February 9 report by OpitanglobaMedia News revealed that 85 out of the party’s 127 BoT members had been inactive, raising concerns about leadership vacuum and loss of direction within the party’s upper echelon. The event is expected to breathe new life into the BoT’s mandate in accordance with Section 31(5) of the PDP Constitution (2017 as amended).

Understanding the Role and Structure of the PDP BoT

The PDP Constitution outlines in Sections 31 and 32 the composition and responsibilities of the Board of Trustees. The BoT serves as the highest moral authority within the party and plays a critical role in mediating disputes, advising on major policy issues, and maintaining the integrity and image of the party.

Members of the BoT include past Presidents and Vice Presidents produced by the party, former National Chairmen, past and current Senate Presidents and Speakers of the House of Representatives, as well as founding members. Representation from all six geopolitical zones and the 36 states ensures broad national input in the board’s operations.

Meetings can be convened by the BoT Chairman, upon the request of half the board members, or through a resolution of the NEC. A quorum, as stipulated in Section 32(11), requires two-thirds of the members present, representing at least two-thirds of Nigeria’s states. This provision recently came into focus during internal disputes over whether recent BoT meetings were legally constituted.

BoT Leadership Amid Dispute Over National Secretary Post

The current BoT Chairman, former Senate President Adolphus Wabara, has faced mounting challenges in his efforts to unify party factions, particularly over the contentious issue of the PDP National Secretary’s position. Some party stakeholders have accused Wabara of failing to achieve a quorum in recent meetings, questioning the legitimacy of his reconciliation efforts.

The dispute over the National Secretary role has become a flashpoint in PDP’s internal politics, with factions aligning behind different candidates and interpretations of the party’s constitution. As the BoT takes on a refreshed mandate, observers will watch closely to see if the renewed body can enforce unity and provide clarity on such disputes.

Wabara’s continued leadership, backed by today’s formal inauguration, suggests that the party is aiming to consolidate authority within the BoT as it prepares for high-stakes political engagements, including the upcoming National Elective Convention and 2027 general elections.

PDP Governors Hold Strategic Meeting Ahead of NEC Session

On the eve of the BoT inauguration, PDP governors and other party heavyweights converged at the Bauchi State Governor’s Lodge in Abuja for a crucial closed-door meeting. The strategic session was chaired by Governor Bala Mohammed of Bauchi State, who also serves as Chairman of the PDP Governors’ Forum.

Attendees included six serving PDP governors—Ademola Adeleke (Osun), Caleb Mutfwang (Plateau), Seyi Makinde (Oyo), Ahmadu Fintiri (Adamawa), Peter Mbah (Enugu), and Dauda Lawal (Zamfara). They were joined by acting National Chairman Umar Damagum, BoT Secretary Ahmed Makarfi, and an array of former governors, including Bukola Saraki, Aminu Tambuwal, Samuel Ortom, Udom Emmanuel, and others.

The meeting, which built on resolutions from a prior summit in Ibadan, aimed to chart a path forward for the PDP amid internal divisions and preparations for the NEC meeting on May 27. Key agenda items included the status of the National Secretary position, managing defections, and crafting a strategic blueprint for electoral success.

Roadmap for Rebuilding: Unity Ahead of Convention

Party insiders say the Abuja meeting was marked by frank exchanges and a unified resolve to reposition the PDP as a credible alternative ahead of the 2027 general elections. According to sources, the governors emphasized the importance of restoring party discipline, reactivating grassroots structures, and bridging factional divides.

The PDP Governors’ Forum is expected to submit a formal communiqué to the NEC outlining recommendations from the meeting, particularly regarding zoning arrangements, leadership rotation, and the need to curb further defections. The governors also discussed the possibility of instituting a reconciliation committee to mediate long-standing disputes in key state chapters.

With the BoT now reconstituted and the governors aligning on a common agenda, the PDP appears to be taking deliberate steps to stabilize its internal structure. However, the road ahead remains challenging, and the success of these efforts will depend on the party’s ability to implement its decisions with discipline and consistency.