Factional chairmen of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) have rallied behind the party’s interim leadership, pledging their “total support” for Acting National Chairman Alhaji Abdulrahman Muhammad and Board of Trustees (BoT) Chairman Senator Mao Ohuabunwa, as they seek to steer the opposition giant through a turbulent phase of renewal.
In a joint statement issued in Abuja and signed by Imo State PDP Chairman Austine Nwachukwu on behalf of the Progressive and Democratic Chairmen, the leaders hailed the PDP’s foundational principles of democracy, justice, equity, and inclusiveness—values they say have anchored the party since the dawn of Nigeria’s Fourth Republic in 1999.
“As custodians of these ideals, it is our sacred responsibility to ensure that the PDP not only survives its current challenges but emerges stronger, more united, and truly reflective of the will of its members and the Nigerian people,” the statement read.
The chairmen underscored their commitment to the rule of law, internal democracy, and strict adherence to the party’s constitution, describing discipline, fairness, and constitutional order as “indispensable” to restoring the PDP’s credibility.
Unwavering Confidence in New Leadership
The factional leaders expressed “absolute confidence” in Muhammad and Ohuabunwa’s ability to navigate the party’s ongoing crises, citing their “leadership capacity, experience, and integrity” as key to rebuilding trust and fostering reconciliation.
“Both leaders embody the democratic spirit, institutional memory, and inclusive vision needed to reposition the PDP as the chief promoter and defender of democracy in Nigeria,” the statement declared.
This endorsement comes amid internal fractures within the PDP, including leadership disputes and factional splits that have weakened its opposition role following its 2023 presidential election loss. The appointment of Muhammad as acting chairman and Ohuabunwa as BoT head earlier this year was seen as a stabilizing move by party elders, aimed at quelling dissent and unifying ranks ahead of future electoral battles.
Call for Unity and Transformation
The chairmen urged all PDP members—from ward-level organizers to national figures—to set aside “personal ambitions” and coalesce around a shared vision for revival.
“We call on every loyal PDP member to unite in this noble cause, working hand-in-hand to transform our party into a truly people-oriented, progressive political movement,” they said.
The group vowed to construct a PDP that Nigerians can “look up to with pride and confidence”—positioned as the “credible alternative, the voice of democracy, and the platform for good governance.”
This show of solidarity from factional chairmen, often at odds with the party’s national executive, signals a potential thaw in internal rivalries and could bolster efforts to reposition the PDP as a formidable force against the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in upcoming polls.
As Nigeria approaches key off-cycle elections and gears up for the 2027 general elections, the PDP’s ability to consolidate under Muhammad and Ohuabunwa will be closely watched by political observers and voters alike.
