Stephen Ukandu, Umuahia
The Chairman of the Board of Trustees (BoT) of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Senator Adolphus Wabara, has debunked media reports alleging that he defected to the African Democratic Congress (ADC) alongside the 2023 Labour Party presidential candidate, Mr Peter Obi.
Wabara described the reports as “planted, mischievous media propaganda” and urged PDP members and the general public to disregard what he termed “fake and misleading social media reports” being circulated by his detractors.
He was reacting to claims on social media that he was among South-East leaders who allegedly travelled to Enugu on December 31 to welcome former President Olusegun Obasanjo, purportedly for the endorsement of Peter Obi for the 2027 presidential election.
Dismissing the claims as false and malicious, Wabara explained that the photograph circulating on social media—showing him with Obi, Obasanjo and other Igbo leaders—had no connection whatsoever with the alleged Enugu event.
According to the former Senate President, the photograph was taken last year at Obasanjo’s residence in Abeokuta during a visit by Igbo leaders, stressing that his membership of the PDP has never been in doubt.
He added that the presence of Obasanjo’s portrait on the wall in the background of the photograph clearly showed that it was taken at the former President’s home and not in Enugu.
Wabara accused his detractors of sponsoring fake news to blackmail him, noting that such attempts would not succeed.
“The same disgruntled elements who have been contracted to destroy the PDP are behind this mischievous media campaign. But no amount of lies can change the fact that I am still very much in the PDP.
“I am not only in the PDP; I am fully committed to ensuring that the party bounces back as the ruling national party in 2027,” he said.
The PDP BoT chairman further vowed that no amount of blackmail would deter him from insisting on the rule of law and due process as essential tools for rebuilding the party into a formidable political force.
He also accused the All Progressives Congress (APC) of plotting to instigate crises within opposition parties.
