The crisis within the Peoples Democratic Party has deepened as former governors Samuel Ortom of Benue State and Ayo Fayose of Ekiti State have declared support for the Nyesom Wike-led faction of the party’s National Working Committee.
This development comes as loyalists of Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde and other governors regroup to mobilise support and challenge Wike’s camp ahead of the party’s national convention.
In separate statements on Sunday, Ortom and Fayose endorsed the faction led by the National Vice Chairman (North Central), Abdulrahman Mohammed, while blaming the acting National Chairman, Umar Damagum, for the worsening internal crisis.
Despite preparations for its National Elective Convention scheduled for November 15 and 16 in Ibadan, Oyo State, the PDP remains entangled in disputes over control of structures, zonal leadership, and convention arrangements. Supporters of Wike have accused the Damagum-led leadership of bias and incompetence, citing unresolved conflicts in the South-South zone and alleged disregard for micro-zoning principles.
Tensions escalated on Friday when the Federal High Court in Abuja granted an interim injunction restraining the PDP from holding its convention pending compliance with its constitution and the Electoral Act.
Justice James Omotosho ordered the suspension of all convention preparations until further notice, a ruling that has deepened the divisions within the party. On Saturday, the Damagum-led NWC announced the suspension of National Secretary Senator 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 response, 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 and incompetence.
Reacting to the crisis, former Benue governor Ortom blamed poor leadership and exclusionary politics for the PDP’s internal turmoil.
Ortom, a member of the party’s Board of Trustees, said his repeated calls for inclusiveness and reconciliation had been ignored.
“Democracy thrives when people of diverse views come together for the common good,” Ortom said. “Unfortunately, a few individuals have attempted to run the party without collective consultation.” He described the emergence of Abdulrahman Mohammed as acting National Chairman as “a fresh opportunity to rebuild trust and heal internal wounds,” urging all party organs to embrace reconciliation.
Similarly, former Ekiti governor Fayose backed the suspension of Damagum by the Mohammed-led faction, describing it as “a necessary step to rescue the party from total collapse.”
Speaking to journalists in Ado Ekiti on Sunday, Fayose said, “The PDP is in a hopeless situation. The Damagum-led NWC are undertakers — they have come to bury the party. But perhaps Abdulrahman can be the doctor that revives it.”
He accused Damagum of incompetence and arrogance, comparing his situation to that of former National Chairman Iyorchia Ayu.
“Damagum will go the way of Ayu,” Fayose said. “He manipulated the process to remain in office and caused widespread confusion. We will support Abdulrahman to reposition the PDP, correct the state chapters, and prepare for the convention.”
Meanwhile, sources close to Governor Makinde told The PUNCH that the Oyo bloc and allied governors are meeting to strategise on how to overturn the court injunction and regain control of the party’s direction.
A source said, “We are not folding our hands. We have the majority, and discussions are ongoing on how to appeal the judgment and keep preparations for the convention alive.”
Former presidential candidate Gbenga Olawepo-Hashim also condemned the court ruling halting the PDP convention, describing it as “a calculated move to weaken the opposition and weaponise the judiciary.”
He alleged that “both external pressures and internal sabotage are being deployed to stifle the PDP and entrench a one-party regime,” but assured that “true democrats will resist attempts to destroy multiparty democracy in Nigeria.”
In Osun State, Senator Adenigba Fadahunsi, who recently defected from the PDP to the All Progressives Congress, declared that the PDP was “as good as dead.”
Speaking at his Ilase-Ijesa country home, Fadahunsi said, “We didn’t abandon the PDP; the PDP abandoned itself. The party is dead, and those still there should not sink with the ship.”
He, however, praised President Bola Tinubu’s economic reforms and expressed optimism that they would yield positive results in due course.
