The crisis within the Peoples Democratic Party has worsened as former governors Samuel Ortom (Benue) and Ayo Fayose (Ekiti) declared support for the Nyesom Wike-led faction of the party’s National Working Committee.
Their endorsement comes amid renewed mobilisation by Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde’s loyalists to challenge the Wike camp ahead of the PDP national convention slated for November 15 and 16 in Ibadan.
In separate statements on Sunday, Ortom and Fayose backed the faction led by National Vice Chairman (North Central), Abdulrahman Mohammed, blaming Acting National Chairman Umar Damagum for deepening the party’s crisis.
A Federal High Court in Abuja on Friday restrained the PDP from holding its convention pending compliance with its constitution and the Electoral Act. Justice James Omotosho ordered the party to suspend all preparations until further notice, worsening the internal division.
The Damagum-led leadership responded on Saturday by suspending National Secretary Samuel Anyanwu, National Legal Adviser Kamaldeen Ajibade (SAN), Deputy Legal Adviser Okechukwu Osuoha, and National Organising Secretary Umar Bature for alleged anti-party activities.
In reaction, the rival faction led by Anyanwu counter-suspended Damagum, National Publicity Secretary Debo Ologunagba, Deputy National Chairman (South) Taofeek Arapaja, and others for alleged financial misconduct.
Ortom blamed poor leadership and exclusionary politics for the PDP’s disarray, describing Abdulrahman Mohammed’s emergence as acting chairman as a chance to rebuild trust and restore unity.
Fayose, on his part, accused Damagum of arrogance and incompetence, saying, “The PDP is in a hopeless situation. The Damagum-led NWC are undertakers who came to bury the party, but perhaps Abdulrahman can revive it.”
Meanwhile, sources close to Governor Makinde said discussions were ongoing to overturn the court ruling and keep the convention plans alive.
Former presidential candidate Gbenga Olawepo-Hashim also faulted the court order, describing it as an attempt to weaken the opposition and “weaponise the judiciary.”
In Osun, Senator Adenigba Fadahunsi, who recently defected to the APC, declared the PDP “as good as dead,” saying, “We didn’t abandon the PDP; the PDP abandoned itself.”
