The faction within the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, loyal to the Federal Capital Territory Minister, Nyesom Wike, has revealed its intention to hold state congresses and subsequently a national convention to select party officials for both state and national positions.
Senator Mao Ohuabunwa, the chairman of the factional Board of Trustees, revealed this on Sunday during the opening session of the BoT meeting conducted at Wike’s official residence in Life Camp, Abuja.
Ohuabunwa revealed that plans are currently underway to restructure PDP organizations in states experiencing internal conflicts by establishing caretaker committees prior to congresses and the party’s upcoming convention.
“Like I said, we are also making meaningful progress in reorganizing affected states, including the constitution of credible caretaker committees, to prepare the ground for transparent congresses and subsequent convention processes.
“These efforts are aimed at building trust, strengthening internal structures, and ensuring that our party remains a model of fairness and inclusiveness in Nigerian democratic space,” Ohuabunwa stated.
He stated that the BoT would throw its weight behind the factional National Working Committee led by Abdulrahman Mohammed to ensure that the party’s affairs are run strictly in line with the law and established party guidelines.
“We are going to work with this NWC; we are going to encourage them, and 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, the PDP,” Ohuabunwa said.
The ex-senator emphasized that the BoT, as outlined in the PDP constitution, bears a moral obligation to act as the stabilizing force within the party.
“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 as a disciplined and democratically established institution. In this defining moment, therefore, we must rise above sentiments and act with unity of all,” he said.
Ohuabunwa urged members of the BoT to remain steadfast in consolidating ongoing reforms within the party and ensuring unity ahead of future political contests.
“Our duty is clear and well stated: to consolidate the reforms already underway, deepen internal cohesion, and ensure that the Peoples Democratic Party emerges stronger, more virile, more united, and fully prepared for the leadership responsibilities ahead.
“I thank you all for your steadfastness, for your dedication and commitment, and for your loyalty to our great party. This is the time we should stand to be counted,” he added.
Ohuabunwa emerged as the factional BoT Chairman of the PDP on November 7, 2025, following a meeting held at Wike’s official residence, where Ibrahim Dansidi was also appointed board secretary.
The Wike bloc planned convention deepens the PDP crisis, in which a bloc aligned with the Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, had in November held a national convention in Ibadan, Oyo State, which produced Turaki Taminu as the PDP National Chairman.
![Rev. Fr. Anthony Odiong, a US-based Nigerian Louisiana Catholic priest, was arrested in Florida on Tuesday for possessing child pornography, according to law authorities. The suspect is reportedly accused of many other cases of sexual assault. The Waco, Texas, Police Department announced in a Facebook post on Tuesday that officers detained Father Anthony Odiong in Ave Maria, Florida, with assistance from the United States Marshals Service. Waco police announced in March that they had received "credible information" about a sexual assault allegedly committed by Odiong in Texas in 2012. “During the subsequent investigation, a case of possession of child pornography was uncovered,” the police said. The priest was apprehended in Florida by the Caribbean Regional Fugitive Task Force. The Waco Police Department said that he will be extradited to Texas. Odiong had previously served in the Archdiocese of New Orleans before being removed as priest in December of last year due to controversy over homilies in which he claimed, among other things, that the Catholic Church was being taken over by "the gays." At the time, the priest was also accused of abusive behaviour; a Louisiana lady claimed in U.S. bankruptcy court that Odiong had committed both financial and sexual abuse against her. Prior to joining the New Orleans Archdiocese, Odiong served in at least two Texas parishes. On Tuesday, Waco police stated that during their sexual assault investigation, "the presence of other survivors was revealed." “Multiple women have come forward to tell similar experiences as the sexual assault survivor who reported the initial allegation,” the police department said. “Survivors’ experiences ranged from sexual assault and indecent assault, more commonly recognised as groping, and financial abuse, with some survivors experiencing every element of Anthony Odiong’s manipulation.” The police said they “believe there may be more survivors, and we wish to speak with anyone who [has] had similar encounters” with the priest. The Archdiocese of New Orleans issued a brief news release on Tuesday noting Odiong's arrest in Florida. The archdiocese “encourages anyone with any information to contact law enforcement,” the release said.](https://chronicle.ng/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/ezgif-6-4730550ede-450x300.jpg "Odiong: US-based Nigerian Catholic priest convicted over sexual assault")
