Wike Camp Takes Over Lagos PDP, Inaugurates Caretaker Committee

Wike Camp Takes Over Lagos PDP, Inaugurates Caretaker Committee
Doherty blamed certain party leaders, including Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde and Chief Olabode George
Ogunbiyi said the committee’s primary responsibility was to rebuild the party’s structure in Lagos within a short time frame

The crisis rocking the Peoples Democratic Party deepened on Wednesday as a faction of the party aligned with the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, inaugurated a 19 member State Caretaker Committee to oversee PDP affairs in Lagos State.

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Eko Hot Blog reports that the development followed a fresh twist in the party’s national leadership dispute after the Wike backed National Working Committee announced the dissolution of some state party executives, including the Lagos chapter.

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The factional NWC is chaired by Alhaji Abdulrahman Mohammed, with Senator Samuel Anyanwu serving as National Secretary.

At the inauguration ceremony held in Ikeja, the Deputy National Secretary of the factional NWC, Mr Adedeji Doherty, who represented the National Chairman, accused some party members of showing blatant disregard for the PDP constitution.

Doherty, a former Lagos PDP chairman and governorship candidate, blamed certain party leaders, including Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde and Chief Olabode George, for contributing to the prolonged internal crisis.

He said the newly inaugurated caretaker committee had the backing of what he described as recognised PDP leaders and urged members to unite in rebuilding the party.

Wike Camp Takes Over Lagos PDP, Inaugurates Caretaker Committee

According to him, the faction had issued what he called red cards to individuals determined to destroy the party, stressing that the PDP remained important to its loyal members.

Doherty dismissed claims surrounding conflicting court judgments on the party’s leadership, insisting that the Ibadan National Convention which produced the Tanimu Turaki led National Working Committee should not have held.

He described the November PDP convention as illegitimate, alleging that it was conducted in violation of democratic principles, and maintained that Alhaji Abdulrahman Mohammed remains the lawful National Chairman of the party.

He charged members of the Lagos caretaker committee to strictly adhere to the party’s constitution and guidelines, adding that congresses would commence in January.

Doherty said the PDP in Lagos State would witness a serious turnaround and appealed to members who left the party due to internal disagreements to return and take up leadership roles.

Speaking on the 2027 general elections, he said it would not be out of place for the PDP to support President Bola Ahmed Tinubu of the All Progressives Congress to complete a second term, noting that unseating him would be a herculean task.

He added that Wike’s decision to support Tinubu in 2027 was his personal prerogative.

The News Agency of Nigeria reports that Mr Kayode Ogunbiyi was inaugurated as Chairman of the Lagos State Caretaker Committee, while Mr Jamiu Awofala was sworn in as Secretary.

Other members of the committee include Mrs Akinro Bolaji, Mr Ege Allen, Mr Audu Salami, Mr Gani Ogungbayi, Mr Ola Odunwa, Mr Samson Hundeyin, Mrs Adebimpe Mariam and Mr Solomon Yusuf.

In his acceptance speech, Ogunbiyi said the committee’s primary responsibility was to rebuild the party’s structure in Lagos within a short time frame.

He assured that discipline, decorum and inclusivity would be upheld, adding that the committee would not tolerate thuggery, assaults or the spread of false information on social media.

Ogunbiyi said all actions of the committee would be guided by the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, the PDP constitution, relevant laws and court rulings.

He disclosed that congresses at the ward, local government, zonal, state and South West zonal levels would begin on January 9, 2026, and are expected to be concluded within 60 days.

Also speaking, the immediate past PDP Vice Chairman for Lagos Central, Mr Hakeem Olalemi, described the inauguration of the caretaker committee as a new beginning and a rebirth for the party in Lagos State.