Peoples Democratic Party Faction Sets Up National Caretaker Committee

As the tenure of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) National Working Committee (NWC) ends on Tuesday, December 9, 2025, the National Executive Committee (NEC) of the camp of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) minister, Nyesom Wike, has constituted a National Caretaker Committee to run the affairs of the party,  pending the conduct of a national convention.

This decision was taken at the 104th NEC meeting of the party held in Abuja on Sunday.

The 13-member Caretaker Committee has Hon. Abdulrahman Mohammed as chairman and Senator Samuel Anyanwu as secretary.

Other members of the Caretaker Committee are; National Legal Adviser, Kamaldeen Ajibade (SAN), National Organising Secretary, Hon. Umar M. Bature, Dr Kyari Grema, Hon Janguda Haruna Mohammed, Barr. Okechukwu Osuana, Senator Nwogu Olaka, Senator Sandy Onor, Prof Adenike Ogunse, Hon. Bisi Kolawole, Engr Deji Doherty,  and Dr Ibrahim Bala Aboki.

The caretaker committee has been mandated to run the affairs of the party for a period of 60 days, during which all pending congresses should be conducted and a national convention should be held.

Recall that the PDP last NWC led by Amb Illiya Damagumhad handed over to the Tanimu Turaki -led PDP which emeged after last months PDP national convention in Ibadan, Oyo State.  The Turaki-led PDP, backed by the party’s governors, have been at loggerheads with the Wike group.

Earlier yesterday, the factional Board of Trustees (BoT) loyal to Wike, has declared its intent to provide stability, wisdom, and moral guidance to the party.

The BoT meeting held on Sunday, saw key figures of the faction gather to strategise.

In attendance were the factional BoT chairman, Senator Mao Ohuabunwa; factional national chairman, Alhaji Abdul-Rahman Mohammed; factional national secretary, Senator Samuel Anyanwu; Senator Philip Tanimu Aduda; several state chairmen, and a number of National Assembly members.

Ohuabunwa, in his opening address outlined the faction’s roadmap, which heavily emphasised adherence to party law and democratic principles while firmly backing its own National Working Committee (NWC), and that the BoT’s primary role was to back the faction’s leadership.

“We are going to work with this NWC, we are going to encourage them, we are going to support them to ensure that the right things are done, and that things will be done in line with the law and the guidance of our great party,” he said.

He revealed that the faction is making progress in restructuring PDP chapters in states affected by internal crises.

“We are also making meaningful progress in reorganiding affected states, including the Constitution of Credible Caretaker Committees, to prepare the ground for transparent congresses and subsequent convention process.

“These steps are aimed at “building trust, strengthening internal structures, and ensuring that our party remains a model of fairness and inclusiveness in Nigerian democratic space,” he said.

Positioning the faction’s BoT as the guardian of PDP’s core values, Ohuabunwa said “As the Constitution of our party entails, the Board of Trustees must continue to provide stability, wisdom, and moral guidance.

“Our responsibility is to safeguard the party’s soul, steer it away from divisive tendencies, and reinforce the values that have historically set the PDP apart.”

He called for unity, stating that in this defining moment, they must rise above sentiments and act with unity of all.

“BOT is the conscience of the party, we are the moral compass, and we wouldn’t want to behave or become complicit. We must stand and face the truth, and ensure that this party stands to be counted at all times in our obedience to the laws of the Federation, the law of our party, and the guidelines of the regulatory body, which is the Independent National Electoral Commission.

“I thank you all for your steadfastness, for your dedication and commitment, and your loyalty to our great Party. This is the time we should stand to be counted,” he said.

He assured that the meeting would proceed peacefully, acknowledging logistical challenges faced by some members.

“We are going to hold this meeting in peace, and at the end of the day, we also go back safely. We know that most people are still on their way, but still I want to appreciate those of you, irrespective of the short notice, the flights, problems,” he said.