A faction of the Peoples Democratic Party loyal to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, on Wednesday inaugurated a 19-member caretaker committee to manage the party’s affairs in Lagos State. The committee was set up by the factional National Working Committee led by Alhaji Abdulraman Mohammed as National Chairman and Senator Samuel Anyanwu as National Secretary.
The development followed the dissolution of some state party executives by the Wike-backed national leadership as the internal crisis in the PDP deepened. The Lagos inauguration took place in Ikeja and was supervised by the Deputy National Secretary of the factional NWC, Adedeji Doherty, who stood in for the National Chairman.
Doherty said the party’s crisis was caused by the failure of some members to follow the PDP constitution. He blamed several party leaders for prolonging the dispute and insisted that the factional leadership remained valid. He also dismissed the November national convention held by another faction, stating that it did not follow due process and should not be recognised by the electoral body. According to him, the Mohammed-led NWC remained in charge of the party.
He urged members of the new caretaker committee to work within party rules and begin preparations for congresses scheduled to start in January. He also called on party members who had left due to internal disagreements to return and take part in rebuilding the PDP in Lagos. Doherty added that fixing the party structure was more urgent at this time than focusing on the 2027 presidential contest.
On national politics, he said the PDP could support President Bola Tinubu of the APC to complete a second term in the interest of the South, noting that such support did not mean abandoning the PDP. He also said it would be difficult for any party to unseat the president in the next election.
Kayode Ogunbiyi was sworn in as chairman of the Lagos 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 remarks, Ogunbiyi said the committee’s task was to rebuild the party within a short time frame and report back to the national secretariat within six weeks. He assured members that discipline would be maintained and that violence, misinformation, and misconduct would not be tolerated. He added that all actions of the committee would follow the law, party constitution, and court decisions.
He also said the committee would encourage women and youths across Lagos to take part in upcoming congresses. According to him, congresses at ward, local government, state, and zonal levels would begin on January 9, 2026, and be completed within 60 days.
The event was described by party leaders present as a fresh start for the PDP in Lagos State.