Adolphus Wabara Quashes Defection Rumors, Reaffirms PDP Loyalty

Senator Adolphus Wabara, the Chairman of the Board of Trustees (BoT) of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), has issued a definitive rebuttal to widespread reports suggesting he has dumped the party for the African Democratic Congress (ADC). In a move aimed at stabilizing the nerves of the PDP faithful, the former Senate President characterized the reports as “mischievous” and “planted,” insisting that his commitment to the nation’s main opposition party remains unshaken.

The rumors gained significant traction on social media following the emergence of a photograph featuring Wabara alongside former President Olusegun Obasanjo and the 2023 Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi. Speculative reports claimed the image was taken at a high-profile New Year’s Eve gathering in Enugu where Obasanjo purportedly endorsed Obi for the 2027 presidential race under the ADC banner. Wabara, however, was quick to clarify that the digital footprint of that meeting was being intentionally weaponized by political detractors to create the illusion of a mass exodus from the PDP.

Addressing the controversy, the elder statesman explained that the picture currently circulating is an “old photo” taken during a private visit by Igbo leaders to Obasanjo’s Abeokuta residence last year. He maintained that he was not in Enugu for any such endorsement event on December 31, and he slammed those who “contracted” the media campaign to destroy the PDP’s internal cohesion. According to Wabara, these “disgruntled elements” are desperate to fracture the party’s leadership as it begins its long-term strategy for the next general election.

Wabara’s firm stance comes at a time of heightened political anxiety, as several opposition figures explore new alliances for the 2027 cycle. By publicly distancing himself from the ADC movement, the BoT Chairman is attempting to signal that the PDP’s core leadership remains intact. He emphasized that his primary focus is not on seeking a new platform, but on ensuring that the PDP “bounces back” to reclaim its status as Nigeria’s ruling national party.

The PDP has faced a series of internal challenges, ranging from leadership disputes to factional pressures in various state chapters. However, as the “conscience of the party,” the Board of Trustees plays a vital role in maintaining the organization’s ideological anchor. Wabara’s refusal to defect provides a crucial shield for the party against the narrative of total disintegration that has been pushed by rival political interests in recent weeks.

Concluding his clarification, the former Senate President urged the public and the media to be more discerning when consuming reports designed to trigger political instability. He assured party members that his membership in the PDP has never been in doubt and that no amount of digital misinformation could alter his dedication to the party he helped build. For Wabara, the road to 2027 is paved with party discipline, and he remains a central figure in the PDP’s efforts to reorganize and present a united front to the Nigerian electorate.