Abuja / Ibadan – The internal crisis within the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) intensified on Tuesday as PDP governors rejected moves by a caretaker committee backed by Nyesom Wike to reschedule the party’s national convention and dissolve key zonal structures. The governors argued that the faction lacked the constitutional authority to make such decisions.
The Wike-supported committee, backed by the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, had shifted the convention, originally slated for March 28, to March 29–30. It also dissolved the Southwest, North-West, and Plateau zonal committees, according to a statement by the committee’s Publicity Secretary, Jungudo Mohammed.
In response, PDP governors including Seyi Makinde (Oyo State) and Bala Mohammed (Bauchi State) reaffirmed support for the Tanimu Turaki (SAN)-led National Working Committee (NWC), stating that the Wike-aligned faction had no authority to organise conventions or dissolve zonal committees.
The Turaki-led NWC, through its National Publicity Secretary Ini Ememobong, described the caretaker committee’s actions as “self-deception” and reaffirmed that no convention would take place under the Wike-backed group.
Legal Disputes
Last Friday, the Federal High Court in Ibadan annulled the PDP National Convention held on November 15, 2025, and restrained Turaki and others from acting as national officers. Before the ruling, the PDP governors had endorsed the convention, which had elected Turaki and the NWC members for a four-year term.
The Wike-aligned faction had earlier formed a 13-member caretaker committee on December 8, 2025, including Mohammed Mohammed and Samuel Anyanwu, claiming leadership of the party. Both factions had sought recognition from INEC, which declined to recognise either group, fueling legal battles ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Party Staff Reaffirm Loyalty to Turaki NWC
In a statement on Tuesday, PDP management and staff reaffirmed loyalty to Turaki’s NWC, maintaining that the Ibadan National Convention was valid and legally conducted. The statement argued that courts have no jurisdiction over internal party affairs and that the Supreme Court has consistently upheld this principle.
The PDP staff also condemned judicial interference they claimed was politically motivated and urged the National Judicial Council to caution judges who appear to act as “tools” of the All Progressives Congress (APC).
Governor Makinde Speaks Out
During the commissioning of the state PDP Secretariat at Oke Ado, Ibadan, Governor Seyi Makinde condemned attempts by party “vagabonds” to undermine PDP, linking the current tensions to disruptions that began after the party lost federal power in 2015.
Makinde expressed confidence in the judiciary, stating that truth would prevail and affirming that the PDP would remain united under legitimate leadership. He also formally handed over the title deed of the property to the PDP National Chairman for transmission to the Board of Trustees, naming the building Mustafa House in honour of the former chairman.
Wike Responds
Through his media aide, Lere Olayinka, Wike described Makinde as an inconsistent politician and warned that he would be “consumed by the fire of political treachery he himself ignited.”
Rivers PDP Chieftain Defends Wike
PDP chieftain Chimenem Wodi, an ally of the FCT Minister, defended Wike’s position, saying the Rivers PDP is united under his leadership and that Wike has strong control over local government chairmen and the State House of Assembly. Wodi described Makinde as a political neophyte in comparison, asserting that Wike’s leadership is backed even by President Bola Tinubu, who acknowledged Wike as the political leader of Rivers State.
