A high-stakes political battle within the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) has taken a new turn as an Abia State High Court has halted the enforcement of Senator Adolphus Wabara’s purported suspension from the party.
The court, presided over by Justice LTC Eruba in Obehie, Ukwa West Local Government Area, issued an order restraining Elder Abraham Amah, who claims to be the PDP chairman in Abia State, from enforcing Wabara’s suspension.
Senator Wabara, a former Senate President and the current Chairman of the PDP Board of Trustees (BoT), had filed a lawsuit (HUK/8/2025) seeking legal protection against what he described as an illegitimate attempt to sideline him from the party.
Court Ruling & Party Turmoil
In granting Wabara’s request, the court ruled:
“The defendant is restrained from enforcing the suspension of the Claimant/Applicant from the People’s Democratic Party, or in any way affecting his position as the Chairman, Board of Trustees of the PDP, until the motion on notice is determined.”
The controversy erupted when Amah, a former Vice Chairman of PDP Abia North, announced Wabara’s suspension in Umuahia, accusing him of anti-party activities. The alleged offense? Commending Governor Alex Otti for reconstructing the long-abandoned Port Harcourt Road in Aba.
However, PDP’s National Working Committee (NWC) swiftly dismissed the suspension as “null and void,” calling it unconstitutional and baseless.
Party Factions & Allegations of Political Intrigue
As the PDP grapples with internal divisions, a pro-PDP group, Frontiers for Change and Progress, has denounced Amah’s move, arguing that he lacks the authority to suspend a BoT Chairman.
Meanwhile, former Abia State Commissioner for Information, Chief John Okiyi Kalu, has intensified the drama, accusing Wabara of secretly meeting with Governor Otti in London to persuade him to join the PDP ahead of the 2027 elections.
Kalu claimed Wabara was scheming to push former Governor Okezie Ikpeazu out of the party, a charge Wabara’s supporters vehemently denied.
‘Political Blackmail’ or Strategic Realignment?
Emeka Yellow Ikpegbu, National Coordinator of PDP Frontiers for Change and Progress, dismissed Kalu’s claims as “blackmail,” arguing that welcoming a performing governor like Otti into the PDP should not be seen as a betrayal.
“Even APC and APGA are wooing Otti. Why should PDP not do the same? A performing governor is always a political asset. If he joins us, it strengthens our chances in 2027.”
Ikpegbu also accused certain PDP members of secretly working with the APC while pretending to be loyal to the party.
“Some people claim to be PDP but are busy lobbying for appointments in APC. If they love APC so much, they should defect officially and leave PDP alone.”
Otti’s Camp Responds
In response, Governor Otti’s Media Adviser, Ferdinand Ekeoma, dismissed claims of a secret meeting with Wabara, insisting that the governor remains committed to the Labour Party.
“Governor Otti has no plans to leave Labour Party. If he ever decides to join PDP, he certainly won’t be joining the faction controlled by people like Kalu.”
The Bigger Picture
This unfolding drama highlights the deep divisions within the PDP in Abia State as different factions jostle for control ahead of the 2027 elections.
Will Wabara’s legal victory stabilize the party, or is this just the beginning of a larger battle for PDP’s soul in Abia? One thing is certain—the road to 2027 will be anything but smooth.
