PDP stakeholders in Borno State have publicly urged two prominent governors to abandon factional disputes and rally behind the party’s national leader, FCT Minister Nyesom Wike. The appeal, delivered at a press briefing in Maiduguri, framed the move as essential to restoring unity and institutional discipline within the Peoples Democratic Party.
Realign loyalty to Wike urged by Borno PDP
Grema Kyari, chairman of the PDP Borno State stakeholders and a member of the National Working Caretaker Committee, praised Mr Wike for his commitment to constitutionalism and party discipline. He said Wike’s leadership had remained steady despite sustained pressure from factions aligned with Governors Bala Mohammed of Bauchi State and Seyi Makinde of Oyo State, and their supporter, Barrister Kabiru Turaki.
“Wike’s steadfast commitment to discipline, constitutionalism, and institutional integrity remains unprecedented,” Kyari said. He accused the opposing group of deepening the party’s internal crisis and called for reconciliation ahead of renewed party activities across the state.
The stakeholders also welcomed a recent decision by the Independent National Electoral Commission to reject the outcome of the Ibadan Convention, which had produced Barrister Kabiru Turaki as national chairman. Kyari reiterated that the only legitimate leadership recognised nationally remains under Honourable Abdulrahman Muhammed as National Chairman and Distinguished Senator Samuel Anyawu as National Secretary.
In a move described as timely and lawful, the Abdulrahman Muhammed-led National Working Caretaker Committee dissolved the Borno State PDP Executive Committee and approved a working caretaker committee to manage affairs in the state. The committee is led by Comrade Abbas Musa Jibrin as chairman with Haruna Audu as secretary.
The stakeholders said the dissolution and appointment would allow for the conduct of fresh ward, local government and state congresses. Kyari said the action had offered renewed hope to PDP members across Borno who had long sought internal democracy and justice within the party’s structures.
Alhaji Zanna Gaddama, the former Borno State PDP chairman, was instructed to coordinate all former party executives at ward, local government and state levels to hand over party documents, properties and records to the newly constituted working caretaker committee within 48 hours. Kyari warned that any attempt to resist the directive would invite legal action, characterising such resistance as impersonation and a violation of the law.
Political analysts said the Borno stakeholders’ statement highlights the wider struggle within the PDP between competing power centres. The appeal to Governors Bala Mohammed and Seyi Makinde is notable given their standing within the party and the potential impact of any sustained rift on national cohesion ahead of future electoral contests.
For now, the focus in Borno is on implementing the caretaker committee’s mandate and preparing for internal congresses. Observers will be watching whether the governors and their supporters heed the call to reconcile with the party’s national leadership, and whether the legal threat results in an orderly handover at state level.
Key Takeaways:
- Borno PDP stakeholders call on Governors Bala Mohammed and Seyi Makinde to realign loyalty to FCT Minister Nyesom Wike.
- Group commends INEC for rejecting the Ibadan Convention result and affirms Abdulrahman Muhammed’s leadership.
- Borno State PDP committee dissolved and a caretaker committee appointed to organise fresh congresses.
- Former state executives given 48 hours to hand over documents or face legal action.
