PDP Crisis: BoT chairman’s support for Labour Party governor sparks controversy

The Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Board of Trustees (BoT), Senator Adolphus Wabara, has stirred controversy within the party over his open support for Abia State Governor, Alex Otti, of the Labour Party (LP).

 

Last week, the Abia State chapter of the PDP suspended Wabara for one month over alleged anti-party activities, reports Vanguard.

 

However, the PDP National Secretariat swiftly nullified the suspension, declaring it void.

 

Despite the backlash, Wabara again endorsed Governor Otti during an event at the International Conference Center, Umuahia, yesterday, held to celebrate the 80th birthday of former Secretary to the Abia State Government, Dr. Godswill Emelike Okoro.

 

He said, “Even a blind man can see what is happening in Abia!” and insisted he had no regrets for his support, vowing to continue appreciating Otti’s contributions to the state’s development. In a light-hearted remark, Wabara added that the PDP chapter might escalate from suspending him to expelling him for “speaking the truth.”

 

He further declared, “Before becoming a PDP card-carrying member, before becoming an NRC card-carrying member in this state, I, Adolphus Nduneweh Wabara, was first and foremost a citizen of Abia.”

 

Reacting to Wabara’s remarks, PDP Deputy National Youth Leader, Timothy Osadolor, criticised him for undermining the party.

 

Osadolor said, “It is either old age is catching up with Wabara or personal gains are guiding his utterances. As BoT Chairman—the conscience of the party—he should be promoting the PDP, not praising Alex Otti because of personal interests.

 

“He should not wait to be expelled. If he cannot prioritize the PDP, he should leave voluntarily rather than continue to embarrass himself and the party.”

 

Osadolor accused Wabara of “playing to personal interests” and called on the BoT to question him for bringing the office into public disrepute.