PDP confirms Wabara as BoT chairman, laments worsening economic situation ‘now unbearable’

…Says insecurity has left Nigerians ‘hopeless’

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has confirmed the appointment of a former President of the Senate, Adolphus Wabara, as substantive chairman of the party’s Board of Trustees.

Similarly, a former Governor of Kaduna State, Ahmed Makarfi, was appointed as the BoT Secretary, replacing former Minister of Special Duties Kabir Turaki.

The appointments were announced at the end of the 76th BoT meeting held in Abuja on Tuesday.

Wabara was appointed as the interim chairman of the PDP BoT in 2022, following the departure of the previous BoT chairman, Walid Jibrin, who resigned from his position.

PDP BoT also lamented that the present situation in the country has become unbearable for Nigerians, calling on President Bola Tinubu to address worsening insecurity in the country and the continuous fall in the value of the naira.

Former Governor of Kaduna State, Ahmed Makarfi, was also appointed as the BoT Secretary, replacing former Minister of Special Duties, Kabir Turaki.

Wabara, said the BoT expressed deep concerns over the biting economic hardship, high cost of essential life-enhancing commodities, and alarming food scarcity in the country.

He stated, “The BoT is alarmed by the worsening insecurity in the country as evident in the rising cases of mass killings, banditry, kidnap for ransom, and acts of terrorism by assailants who are emboldened by the manifest laidback attitude of the APC administration to issues of security, especially in the last nine months.

“The BoT is appalled by the monumental corruption and unbridled treasury-looting in the APC administration especially the looting of billions of Naira meant for palliatives for poor and vulnerable Nigerians.

“The BoT is seriously worried over the fall of the Naira to an abysmal N1,500 to the Dollar, incessant increase in the pump price of fuel which now sells for over N700 per litre with long queues in various parts of the country.

“These have attendant negative consequences as evident in the nearly 30 percent inflation rate, 41 percent unemployment rate, and alarming 46 percent poverty rate where up to 130 million citizens have sunk deeper into multi-dimensional poverty in the last nine months.

“The BoT is disturbed that the catastrophic economic and security situation in the country has left Nigerians hopeless, despondent, angry and constitutes a present and immediate threat to the survival of the country as hardworking young Nigerians, professionals in critical fields as well as major multinational companies are now leaving our nation in droves.

“The BoT is distressed that there are no concrete and coherent policies, measures, and steps by the APC administration to address these existential threats which have put the country in a precarious situation.

“The BoT calls on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to know that the situation in the country has become unbearable. Mr. President should immediately address the issues of corruption in his administration, worsening insecurity in the country, continuous fall in the value of the Naira, high fuel price, unbearable food scarcity, and unemployment in the country.”

He reassured the Nigerian public that despite the challenges, the PDP remains united, stronger, and more determined in its commitment to working for the well-being of Nigerians and defending their interest at all times.

Wabara further stated, “In this regard, the BoT as the Conscience of the Party charges all Organs, leaders, critical stakeholders, and members of the PDP across the country to remain united and focused as the Party further repositions for the task ahead.

“In the bid to further strengthen itself, the BoT has confirmed His Excellency, Senator Adolphus Wabara as its Chairman and His Excellency, Senator Ahmed Mohammed Makarfi as Secretary in line with the provisions of the Constitution of the PDP (as amended in 2017).”

Earlier, the Board of Trustees of the PDP demanded the resignation of Senator Samuel Anyanwu as the party’s National Secretary since he’s the party’s governorship candidate in the November 11 election in Imo State.

The BoT Chairman, Senator Adolphus Wabara, made the demand in a statement on Saturday, citing the constitutional provision of the party, which disallows a candidate from holding dual positions.