By Solanke Ayomideji Taiwo
The Acting National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Alhaji Abdulrahman Muhammad, has declared that Nigeria’s main opposition party has entered a new era of renewal, reconciliation, and restoration with the inauguration of a newly constituted Board of Trustees (BoT) on Friday in Abuja.
Delivering a powerful and emotional welcome address during the ceremony, Alhaji Muhammad described the inauguration as “a significant turning point in the life of our great party”, emphasizing that the event was not merely about constituting a new BoT, but about “renewing faith in the ideals that gave birth to the PDP — justice, fairness, inclusivity, and respect for the rule of law.”
He reflected on the party’s proud history as a unifying national movement and lamented the internal crises that had in recent years weakened its moral and institutional foundation.
“The PDP was not just another political organization when it was founded; it was a national movement — a coalition of dreams built on the belief that democracy must unite rather than divide, build rather than break, and serve rather than dominate,” he said.
‘A Party Once Divided, Now on the Path of Renewal’
In a candid appraisal of the party’s recent challenges, the Acting Chairman cited leadership disputes, disregard for judicial rulings, and internal impunity as factors that had derailed the PDP from its founding vision.
He noted that the immediate past BoT, led by Senator Adolphus Wabara, “lost the moral balance expected of that noble institution” following internal divisions and allegations of anti-party activities.
Similarly, he condemned the actions of the suspended National Chairman, Ambassador Umar Damagum, accusing his administration of “choosing convenience over the constitution and personal loyalty over the rule of law.”
“Instead of enforcing valid judicial pronouncements and respecting the authority of the courts, that administration preferred to protect individuals who had clearly violated the rules of the party. This dangerous trend weakened our moral standing and pushed our great party to a point of deep internal disillusionment,” he said.
‘The Court Judgment Was a Wake-Up Call’
Alhaji Muhammad commended the courage of three concerned party members who sought judicial intervention to save the PDP from collapse, noting that their decision was an act of patriotism, not rebellion.
“Their decision was not borne out of anger or ambition, but out of love for the PDP and concern for its survival. They said, ‘We acted not to destroy, but to redeem; not to divide, but to heal.’ Those words are a call to conscience for all of us,” he said.
He described the recent Federal High Court judgment that nullified certain controversial leadership decisions as “a reminder that no institution is greater than the law.”
“It was a wake-up call — a call to return to our roots, to restore order, and to reawaken the values that once made the PDP the pride of Africa,” he stressed.
‘The New BoT Symbolizes Rebirth’
The Acting Chairman charged members of the newly inaugurated BoT to see their appointment as “a sacred trust”, urging them to serve as the “moral compass and conscience of the PDP.”
“This is not a reward for loyalty; it is a sacred trust. The responsibility before you is enormous — to speak truth to power, defend justice, and ensure that the PDP remains a home for all Nigerians,” he declared.
He emphasized that the new leadership would prioritize transparency, fairness, and strict adherence to the constitution.
“Under this new leadership, the PDP will never again be held hostage by impunity, manipulation, or disregard for its own constitution. We will respect court judgments, conduct our congresses with fairness, and rebuild public trust in our great party,” he affirmed.
‘Reform or Risk Irrelevance’
In a bold statement that drew applause from party stakeholders, Alhaji Muhammad warned that the PDP must reform or risk fading into political irrelevance.
“We cannot continue to hide under the excuse that ‘party matters are internal affairs.’ Internal affairs must still operate under constitutional order. Party autonomy cannot mean lawlessness,” he cautioned.
He traced the roots of the PDP’s decline to the abandonment of its zoning principle ahead of the 2015 general elections, adding that the party was now determined to correct past mistakes and rebuild on the foundation of equity and justice.
‘A New Era of Conscience and Unity’
The Acting Chairman concluded his address with a call to unity, declaring the inauguration as “the beginning of a new era — an era where conscience leads, where unity replaces division, and where respect for the rule of law becomes our political culture.”
“Let history record that when the PDP stood at the edge of the precipice, men and women of goodwill rose to pull it back. Let it be written that we chose reform over rebellion, truth over silence, and principle over politics,” he said.
He ended with a resounding message of hope:
“Together, we can heal our party. Together, we can rebuild the trust of our members. Together, we can restore the PDP as the true hope of Nigeria’s democratic future.”
Long live the Peoples Democratic Party.
Long live the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
