- PDP governors opposed the Wike-aligned caretaker committee’s actions to reschedule the national convention and dissolve zonal committees
- Turaki’s faction argued the caretaker committee lacked authority, reaffirming that the Southwest, North-West, and Plateau committees remained intact
- Wike loyalists insisted they would proceed with the convention, claiming broad consultations and control over Rivers State party structures
The internal crisis within the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) escalated on Tuesday as governors elected on the party’s platform opposed moves by a caretaker committee aligned with Nyesom Wike to reschedule the national convention and dissolve key zonal structures. The governors argued that the Wike-backed faction lacks constitutional authority to make such decisions.
The caretaker committee, reportedly supported by the Federal Capital Territory Minister, had moved the party’s national convention from March 28 to March 29–30 and dissolved the Southwest, North-West, and Plateau zonal committees. Jungudo Mohammed, the committee’s Publicity Secretary, announced these changes following a National Working Committee (NWC) meeting in Abuja.
However, PDP governors, including Seyi Makinde (Oyo State) and Bala Mohammed (Bauchi State), who support the Tanimu Turaki-led NWC, rejected the caretaker committee’s actions, describing them as unauthorized and constitutionally invalid.
Ini Ememobong, Turaki’s NWC Publicity Secretary, said the Wike-aligned faction was “mired in self-deception” and lacked the locus to dissolve zonal committees or organize a convention. He reaffirmed that the Southwest, North-West, and Plateau committees remain intact.
The dispute dates back to last November, when the Ibadan National Convention elected Turaki and other NWC members to four-year terms. The Federal High Court in Ibadan later annulled that convention and restrained Turaki and others from acting as national officers. Both factions sought recognition from the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), but the commission refused to recognize either, leading to multiple court cases. Turaki’s faction has filed an appeal to challenge the ruling.
Meanwhile, the Wike-backed faction insisted it would move forward with reorganizing the party and convening a national convention to appoint new NWC members. The caretaker committee emphasized wide consultations to ensure an “all-inclusive” convention. Abdulrahman Mohammed, the acting factional chairman, claimed that the party remains united under his leadership.
PDP management and staff, however, reaffirmed their allegiance to the Turaki-led NWC, stating that the Ibadan convention was legally convened, in line with the PDP Constitution, and notified to INEC. They rejected attempts by the courts to impose an external caretaker committee, asserting that political party affairs fall within the party’s internal mechanisms, citing Supreme Court rulings that reinforce this principle.
Governor Makinde, during the commissioning of the Oyo State PDP Secretariat, warned that “vagabonds” would not be allowed to undermine the party. He recounted past internal disruptions within the PDP dating back to 2015 and expressed confidence that the judiciary would uphold the party’s legitimate leadership.
In response, Wike’s media aide, Lere Olayinka, described Makinde as politically inconsistent and accused him of treachery, stating that Wike’s faction remains strong, with full control of local government chairpersons and State Assembly members in Rivers State. Wike loyalists emphasized his political clout, noting that even President Bola Tinubu has acknowledged Wike as a key political leader in the state.
The dispute highlights a deepening factional rift in the PDP ahead of the 2027 general elections, with both sides claiming legitimacy and control over party structures.