The faction of the Peoples Democratic Party, aligned with the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has disclosed its plan to conduct state congresses and eventually a national convention to elect party officials at the state and national level.

The chairman of the factional Board of Trustees, Senator Mao Ohuabunwa, disclosed this known on Sunday during the opening session of the BoT meeting held at Wike’s  official residence at Life Camp, Abuja.

Ohuabunwa disclosed that efforts were already ongoing to reorganise PDP structures in states affected by internal crises through the constitution of caretaker committees ahead of congresses and the party’s next convention.

“Like I said, we are also making meaningful progress in reorganising affected states, including the constitution of credible caretaker committees, to prepare the ground for transparent congresses and subsequent convention process.

These efforts are aimed at building trust, strengthening internal structures, and ensuring that our party remains a model of fairness and inclusiveness in Nigerian democratic space,” Ohuabunwa stated.

He said the BoT would throw its weight behind the factional Nationl Working Committee led by Abdulrahman Mohammed, to ensure that the party’s affairs are run strictly in line with the law and established party guidelines.

“We are going to work with this NWC; we are going to encourage them, we are going to support them to ensure that the right things are done, and that things will be done in line with the law and the guidance of our great party, the PDP,”  Ohuabunwa said.

The former senator stressed that the BoT, as provided for in the PDP constitution, has a moral responsibility to serve as the stabilising force within the party.

“As the constitution of our party entails, the Board of Trustees must continue to provide stability, wisdom, and moral guidance. Our responsibility is to safeguard the party’s soul, steer it away from divisive tendencies, and reinforce the values that have historically set the PDP apart as a disciplined and a democratically established institution. In this defining moment, therefore, we must rise above sentiments and act with unity of all,” he said.

Ohuabunwa charged members of the BoT to remain steadfast in consolidating ongoing reforms within the party and ensuring unity ahead of future political contests.

“Our duty is clear, well stated, to consolidate the reforms already underway, deepen internal cohesion, and ensure that the Peoples Democratic Party emerges stronger, more virile, more united, and fully prepared for the leadership responsibilities ahead. I thank you all for your steadfastness, for your dedication and commitment, and your loyalty to our great Party. This is the time we should stand to be counted,” he added.

The PUNCH reports that Ohuabunwa emerged factional BoT Chairman of the PDP on November 7, 2025, following a meeting held at Wike’s official residence, where Ibrahim Dansidi was also appointed board secretary.

The planned convention deepens the PDP crisis, in which a bloc aligned with the Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde had in November held a national convention in Ibadan, Oyo State, which produced Turaki Taminu as the APC National Chairman.

The Ibadan convention held amid conflicting court orders, permitting and stopping it at the same time.

The Wike bloc is currently in court seeking an order to nullify the Ibadan convention.

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Speculation is mounting that Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, may soon dump the Peoples Democratic Party for the All Progressives Congress following fresh political turbulence in the state.

Last Friday, 17 members of the House of Assembly loyal to former governor Nyesom Wike and led by Speaker Martin Amaewhule announced their defection from the PDP to the APC, instantly shifting the legislature’s balance of power. The only three lawmakers considered loyal to Fubara have not resumed sitting since the six-month emergency rule in the state was lifted, deepening uncertainty around the governor’s political future.

Speaking with The PUNCH, a PDP chieftain and former member of the House of Representatives, Ogbonna Nwuke, said recent political movements in the South-South suggest Fubara may eventually head to the ruling party at the centre.

Nwuke, who represented Etche–Omuma in the National Assembly and once served as Rivers Commissioner for Information, said the defection of governors in Delta, Akwa Ibom and, most recently, Bayelsa—formerly PDP strongholds—points to a broader trend that may pull Fubara along.

He said, “If you look at what is going on in the South-South, governors elected on the PDP platform have decamped. Did we expect the Rivers lawmakers to move? It may have come as a surprise, but when you consider the crisis in the PDP, was it avoidable? Possibly not.

“When a party is bedevilled by crisis, people will naturally look for alternatives. The anti-defection provisions in the constitution recognise differences at the national level, and there are clear indications of such differences in the PDP.”

Describing the PDP’s recent internal actions—including issuing an unprecedented “expulsion certificate”—as signs of deep-seated turmoil, Nwuke said PDP members are simply reacting to a party that “has not been this divided in a long time.”

On whether Fubara might soon join the APC, he said, “There are speculations that the APC has been wooing the governor. Only he can confirm whether he is crossing. But what we’re seeing suggests he may consider leaving the PDP. And if he does, he will not be the first.”

But a senior Government House official, who asked not to be named, dismissed the rumours, insisting Governor Fubara had shown no sign of defecting.

“We are not aware that the governor wants to defect,” he said. “Even the lawmakers claiming to have moved to the APC have not fulfilled the Supreme Court requirement of registering at their wards. Until they produce evidence, nobody should take their claims seriously.”

The official added that the APC’s upcoming national convention means anyone intending to join the party at this time “would have shown clear signals,” which Fubara has not.

“I don’t see any sign and he has not told us he will be joining the APC. Very soon the APC will round off receiving defectors because in December they will hold their convention. If the governor wanted to move, he would have shown signs by now. But let’s keep our fingers crossed,”he added.

Similarly, the factional PDP chairman in Rivers State, Robinson Ewor, mocked the defected lawmakers, saying the party would work to reclaim its mandate.

“My prayer is that they shouldn’t deny again,” he said. “There is no division in the PDP that justifies their action. What they are holding is the PDP’s mandate.”

Ewor vowed that the PDP would reclaim its mandate from the defected lawmakers.

“We must definitely talk to the remaining PDP lawmakers. And for those who have moved, the party must make an effort to reclaim its mandate. What they are holding is the PDP mandate.”

When asked if he would welcome Fubara to the APC, state APC chairman, Tony Okocha, said he had not been contacted by the governor.

“I’m not a soothsayer. The governor has not reached out to me. If I have the opportunity of talking to him, I will advise him to follow his mind. Why put the cart before the horse?” he said.

Meanwhile, fresh tension may be brewing as the Amaewhule-led Assembly continues to sit at the lawmakers’ residential quarters along Aba Road, despite Fubara’s insistence that the newly reconstructed Assembly complex will be ready this month and his promise to present the 2026 budget there.

At their sitting last Friday, Amaewhule queried the governor’s delay in forwarding a full list of commissioner-nominees to the House, noting that Fubara was running the state with only eight commissioners—an action he said contravenes constitutional expectations.

Prof. Iyabo Obasanjo-Bello, first daughter of former President Olusegun Obasanjo, has confirmed knowledge of the political billboards bearing her image and springing up across Abeokuta ahead of the 2027 elections were erected by her supporters.

Obasanjo-Bello, now an Associate Professor of Public Health at the University of Maryland, Baltimore, United States, said that although she is “not keen on contesting for any political office in 2027,” her political future ultimately rests in the hands of God and her supporters.

The former Commissioner for Health and one-time senator for Ogun Central (2007–2011) stated this in Sagamu during an interview with Remo TV at the 70th birthday celebration of a former National President of the National Council of Women Societies, Chief Mrs Gloria Shoda.

Recently, large billboards featuring the former senator have appeared in major parts of Abeokuta, including Abiola Way near the Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library, Oke Mosan opposite the Immigration office, and Brewery Junction.

The billboards carry the bold message: “In Ogun State, we know ourselves. Sen (Prof) Iyabo Obasanjo. Omo wa ni, eniyan wa ni, ara wa ni.

But speaking in the interview with Remo TV, which went viral on the social media,  Obasanjo-Bello clarified that she is not actively seeking a political comeback.

“There are some people who have worked with me in the past. They came together and said, ‘This is who we like.’ I told them to stop it—that I am living a good life. I live in the US, I teach at the university, and I am fine

But she said her supporters persuaded her to let them proceed.

“People told me to let them be, after all, they are not asking me for money. They said it was a sign of love and that I did well while in politics. They said stopping them would dampen their enthusiasm. So I have allowed them. Nobody can say I am actively campaigning for anything, but I have given these people the go-ahead.”

She added that the renewed calls for her return to politics underscores that leaders should always act with integrity.

“If you do good, people will come back and we still want you for something. Whether what they want now becomes reality is not in my hands but in their hands and God’s hand.

“I don’t know if I am interested in politics again. I have built a very good life for myself. I love teaching; I love encouraging my students. I love to guide people and provide mentorship. There are several people in Ogun State that I have helped to become who they are today.

Meanwhile,  Obasanjo-Bello said she was in Sagamu to honour Mrs Shoda, whom she praised as “an epitome of womaness…a formidable woman who has led at various times.”

She also spoke about her longstanding link to Remo land, noting: “My grandmother, Alice Akinlawon née Ogunlaja, is from Ode Remo. Our family house is still there. I am the Iyalode of Ode Remo, a title bestowed on me by the late Alaye of Ode Remo, Oba Funso Adeolu, popularly known as Eleyinmi.”

Born on April 27, 1967,  Obasanjo-Bello trained as a veterinary doctor at the University of Ibadan before becoming Commissioner for Health between 2003 and 2007, and later senator between 2007 and 2011.

She lost her 2011 re-election bid to Gbenga Obadara of the Action Congress of Nigeria and subsequently returned to the United States.

Her campaign billboards  have sparked speculation that she may contest again in 2027, possibly on the platform of the African Democratic Congress.

A prominent politician in the state, who preferred anonymity, told our correspondent:

“The former senator is yet to declare her next political move, but many believe she might be eyeing the Ogun Central senatorial seat again, and the likely party is ADC. Remember that former President Obasanjo gave tactical support to ADC in 2019.”

Last month,  Ogun ADC Chairman, Otunba Femi Soluade, told our correspondent that the party was open to receiving her.

He said, “We have also heard the possibility of Senator Iyabo Obasanjo joining us, but she has not contacted the party. We are eagerly waiting for her. Once she reaches out, we will hold discussions.”