A faction of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) loyal to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, on Wednesday inaugurated a 19-member state caretaker committee for the party in Lagos State.
The inauguration followed the deepening leadership crisis within the PDP, after the Wike-backed National Working Committee announced the dissolution of state executives in some states, including Lagos.
The factional NWC is led by Alhaji Abdulraman Mohammed as national chairman and Senator Samuel Anyanwu as national secretary.
Speaking at the event held in Ikeja, the Deputy National Secretary of the factional NWC, Adedeji Doherty, who represented Mohammed, accused some party leaders of undermining the PDP constitution and fueling the lingering crisis.
Doherty, a former Lagos PDP chairman and governorship candidate, specifically blamed Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State, Chief Olabode George and others for the party’s woes.
He said recognised PDP leaders had endorsed the newly constituted caretaker committee and urged members to unite to reposition the party.
“We are issuing red cards to those hell-bent on destroying the PDP. Today marks a new chapter in the evolution of democracy and our party,” Doherty said.
He dismissed the November PDP national convention, describing it as a “kangaroo process” that failed to follow democratic procedures, adding that it therefore lacked legitimacy.
“As far as INEC is concerned, the Ibadan National Convention that produced the Tanimu Turaki-led NWC should not have taken place. Mohammed remains the authentic national chairman of the party,” he stated.
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Doherty charged the caretaker committee to strictly adhere to the PDP constitution and announced that congresses would commence in January.
“PDP in Lagos State is going to witness a serious turnaround. I call on all those who left the party for one reason or another to return,” he said, adding that rebuilding the party was more important at the moment than the 2027 presidential race.
On the 2027 general election, Doherty said there was nothing wrong if the PDP supports President Bola Tinubu of the All Progressives Congress to complete a second term in the interest of the South.
“I believe in Wike’s decision to support President Tinubu in 2027. It is going to be a herculean task to dislodge him,” he said, while noting that such support did not amount to abandoning the PDP.
Kayode Ogunbiyi was sworn in as chairman of the Lagos PDP caretaker committee, with Jamiu Awofala as secretary.
Other members include Akinro Bolaji, Ege Allen, Audu Salami, Gani Ogungbayi, Ola Odunwa, Samson Hundeyin, Adebimpe Mariam and Solomon Yusuf.
In his acceptance speech, Ogunbiyi said the committee’s immediate task was to rebuild the party within a short timeframe.
“Our mandate is to be accomplished within six weeks. We will maintain decorum and discipline and will not tolerate thuggery or misinformation,” he said.
He added that congresses at ward, local government, state and South-West zonal levels would commence from January 9, 2026, and be concluded within 60 days.
The immediate past PDP Vice Chairman (Lagos Central), Hakeem Olalemi, described the development as “a new beginning and a rebirth of the PDP in Lagos State.”
