By Sodiq Adelakun
The Wike-backed faction of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) National Working Committee (NWC) has inaugurated Local Government Area Caretaker Committees across the 20 councils of Lagos State, in a move that further highlights the party’s ongoing national leadership crisis.
The inauguration, which took place on Wednesday in Ikeja, followed the recent dissolution of the party’s elected executives in some states, including Lagos, by the faction aligned with the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Mr Nyesom Wike.
It was gathered that the faction had earlier, on December 24, 2025, set up a 19-member State Caretaker Committee to oversee the party’s affairs in Lagos.
The factional NWC is led by Alhaji Abdulrahman Mohammed as National Chairman, with Senator Samuel Anyanwu serving as National Secretary.
Speaking at the event, Mr Adedeji Doherty, Deputy National Secretary of the factional NWC, said the party’s revival must start from the grassroots.
Doherty, a former Lagos PDP chairman and governorship candidate, represented the National Chairman at the ceremony.
“This is a special assignment. You must rebuild the party from the ward level to the local government and zones. This task must not be taken lightly,” he said.
He directed the committees to immediately commence membership registration and revalidation, stressing that rebuilding PDP structures was key to restoring public confidence in the party.
Doherty noted that the caretaker committees at state, local government, ward and zonal levels would operate for 60 days, after which proper party congresses would be conducted.
He assured members that they would not be sidelined after the congresses, dismissing fears of “use and dump” within the party.
“We are rebuilding the only national party Nigerians still believe in. Those saying PDP is finished will soon change their minds,” he added.
The committees were also directed to reconstitute the women and youth wings of the party, as well as set up five-member Elders Unity Forums in each local government to promote reconciliation and guidance.
In his remarks, Mr Kayode Ogunbiyi, Chairman of the Lagos State Caretaker Committee, urged the LGA committees to reconnect the party with grassroots supporters and operate within the law.
“This is a rare opportunity to revive our party. We must stand firm and do the right thing,” Ogunbiyi said.
Also speaking, former House of Representatives member Mr Tajudeen Obasa expressed confidence that the PDP would overcome its internal challenges and contest — and win — elections in 2027.
The event was attended by members of the state caretaker committee and former PDP state officials loyal to the faction.
