A faction of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) loyal to the Nyesom Wike camp has announced the appointment of Mao Ohuabunwa as Chairman of the party’s Board of Trustees (BoT). This appointment was made during the inauguration of the new board by the faction’s acting national chairman, as part of a restructuring effort intended to address issues of neutrality and internal integrity.
The PDP has, in recent times, faced multiple challenges undermining its internal cohesion and public standing. These problems include a deep-seated leadership crisis marked by competing factions within the party; disputes over zoning formulas for upcoming elections, which have pitted southern and northern elements of the party against one another.  The party has also struggled with mass defections of members to other parties, further weakening its position. The party’s inability to hold a successful national convention and persistent disagreements over its internal decision-making structures have added to the instability. 
The newly constituted BoT under Ohuabunwa was introduced with a message of reconciliation, inclusiveness, and institutional stability by its organizers. The statement noted that the previous BoT leadership was relieved of duty because those members had publicly aligned themselves with particular factions in the internal conflict, thereby compromising their neutrality.
With this development, this PDP faction now faces the task of restoring unity, rebuilding trust among its stakeholders, and presenting a coherent front ahead of the next election cycle. The party’s leadership will be under pressure to resolve ongoing zoning controversies, bring back defectors, manage internal dissent, and rebuild its appeal to the wider electorate.
Samuel Aina