The political tussle within the Abia State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has taken a dramatic turn, with a court stepping in to halt the suspension of Senator Adolphus Wabara as the party’s Board of Trustees (BoT) Chairman. The Abia State High Court, sitting in Obehie, Ukwa West LGA, issued an interim order restraining Abraham Amah, the state’s acting PDP chairman, from enforcing Wabara’s suspension.
This legal intervention adds another layer to the ongoing power struggle within the PDP, as factions clash over allegations of anti-party activities and secret meetings. Here’s the full story.
The Suspension That Sparked the Legal Battle
Abraham Amah, the acting PDP chairman in Abia State, announced Wabara’s suspension last week, accusing the former Senate President of anti-party activities. Among the allegations, Amah cited Wabara’s public praise for Governor Alex Otti’s performance as a key reason for the suspension.
However, Wabara swiftly challenged the suspension in court, arguing that it was unlawful and politically motivated.
Court’s Ruling: A Win for Wabara
Presiding over the case, Justice L.T.C. Eruba granted Wabara’s prayers, issuing an interim order to halt the suspension. The court also restrained Amah from laying claim to the Abia State PDP chairmanship or taking any action that could affect Wabara’s position as BoT Chairman.
In his ruling, Justice Eruba stated:
“The defendant is restrained from enforcing the suspension of the claimant/applicant from the Peoples Democratic Party, or in any way affecting his position as the Chairman, Board of Trustees of the PDP till the motion on notice is determined.”
Allegations of Secret Meetings
The controversy deepened when John Okiyi Kalu, a former Commissioner for Information in Abia State, alleged that Wabara held a secret meeting with Governor Alex Otti in London to discuss Otti’s possible defection to the PDP.
However, the PDP Frontiers for Change and Progress, a pro-PDP group, denied the allegations. The group’s National Coordinator, Emeka Yellow Ikpegbu, challenged Kalu to provide evidence of the alleged meeting, calling the claims baseless and politically motivated.
Why This Matters
The court’s decision to halt Wabara’s suspension is a significant victory for the embattled BoT Chairman and his supporters. It also highlights the deepening divisions within the PDP in Abia State, as factions vie for control ahead of future elections.
For Wabara, the ruling provides temporary relief, but the legal battle is far from over. The case will proceed to a full hearing, where both sides will present their arguments.
What’s Next?
As the legal proceedings continue, the PDP in Abia State faces the challenge of reconciling its warring factions. The outcome of this case could have far-reaching implications for the party’s unity and its prospects in the 2027 elections.
For now, Wabara remains the PDP’s BoT Chairman, but the political drama in Abia is far from settled.
