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PDP in Turmoil as Makinde, Wike Clash Over Party Control
The ongoing power struggle between Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde and the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has deepened internal divisions within the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), threatening the party’s 99th National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting scheduled for May 27.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶
Wike, in a statement on Sunday, publicly pulled out of the party’s reconciliation efforts. He blamed Governors Makinde and Peter Mbah of Enugu State for escalating the crisis. The fallout has prompted the PDP’s Board of Trustees (BoT) to urgently convene in Abuja today to discuss the looming threat to party unity.
Party insiders revealed that former Senate President Bukola Saraki, who heads the reconciliation committee, met key stakeholders on Sunday night to try and salvage the situation.
The PDP, beset by internal conflict since before the 2023 elections, continues to face unresolved issues. Disputes over the Rivers State political crisis, zonal congresses in the South-South and North-Central, and the National Secretary position have all contributed to the current breakdown.
Wike, reportedly supported by Governors Caleb Mutfwang (Plateau) and Ahmadu Fintiri (Taraba), has criticized decisions by the PDP Governors’ Forum and National Working Committee—both allegedly influenced by Governors Makinde, Mbah, and Bala Mohammed (Bauchi)—for undermining his political influence.
Despite interventions from key party organs, including the NEC and BoT, efforts at peace have largely failed. The party has now postponed its NEC meeting several times—from August 2024 to October, then November, and later to March 2025. The latest proposed date of May 27 is now also in jeopardy.
The Saraki-led reconciliation panel was tasked with resolving lingering disputes, particularly over the reinstatement of Senator Samuel Anyanwu as National Secretary—a move opposed by Makinde, Mbah, and the South-East caucus.
In a statement titled “PDP Crisis: My Position”, Wike accused Makinde of breaching prior agreements reached during G5 and expanded meetings. He cited a series of broken promises, including those made during a meeting at Saraki’s Abuja residence, attended by Governors Fintiri and Bala Mohammed.
Wike claimed one of the key agreements was to recognize Anyanwu as National Secretary in line with a Supreme Court ruling. He alleged that Makinde and Mbah orchestrated efforts to bypass this agreement and sow confusion within the party structure.
For instance, Wike referenced a failed zonal congress in Jos on May 24, where the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) refused to attend because the invitation was signed by the Deputy National Secretary instead of Anyanwu, the legally recognized official.
Blaming dishonesty and lack of trust, Wike declared his full withdrawal from reconciliation talks, vowing to “fight on until justice is attained.” He emphasized his long-standing loyalty to the PDP but expressed frustration over what he described as a betrayal by fellow party leaders.
Attempts to get reactions from Governors Makinde and Mbah were unsuccessful.
Meanwhile, Saraki, through his media aide Yusuph Olaniyonu, downplayed Wike’s withdrawal, calling it a challenge that required more effort—not a total setback. He reiterated the importance of keeping the PDP alive, calling it the last remaining legacy party from Nigeria’s democratic foundation.
A source within the NWC said the Saraki committee held another emergency meeting late Sunday night with key stakeholders, including Makinde, Mbah, Acting National Chairman Umar Damagum, and National Legal Adviser Kamaldeen Ajibade. The outcome of this meeting is expected to determine whether the NEC meeting will proceed.
While the Makinde faction is pressing forward to legitimize their position, Wike’s allies are allegedly working to block the NEC meeting entirely, possibly through court action.
The BoT is expected to meet today at 3 p.m. at the PDP headquarters in Abuja, according to a notice signed by National Director of Publicity Chinwe Nnorom.
Diverse State-Level Reactions
PDP leaders in various states have voiced strong reactions to Wike’s move.
In Ekiti, PDP Caretaker Chair Dare Adeleke accused Wike of sabotaging the party and acting against democracy. He suggested Wike was upset over the failed impeachment of Rivers Governor Siminalayi Fubara.
Ogun PDP Secretary Sunday Solarin dismissed Wike as disengaged, accusing him of plotting a defection to the APC. Gombe PDP Chairman Mamman Kwaskebe described Wike as irrelevant to the party’s state-level loyalty and commitment.
Bayelsa PDP Chairman Solomon Agwanana said Wike had long aligned with the APC and was only waiting for the right moment to formally defect. He also accused Wike of threatening to shut down the PDP’s state office.
Bauchi PDP spokesman Dayyabu Ciroma said Wike’s presence in the party was nearing an end and that the NEC would soon resolve the matter.
In Anambra, former Deputy Publicity Secretary Osita Madu said Wike’s dual allegiances—publicly supporting the APC while claiming PDP membership—made him a liability. He urged Wike to make his exit official.
Saraki, in his closing comments, warned that letting the PDP collapse would turn Nigeria into a one-party state, a development he described as dangerous for democracy.
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Kwara State has strongly opposed reported moves by the state government to revisit the alleged Offa robbery case involving former Governor Abubakar Bukola Saraki and others.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶
reports that the party made its position known during an emergency press conference in Ilorin on Friday, describing the development as politically motivated and unjust.
PDP spokesman, Comrade Olushola Adewara, said the alleged plan to reopen the case amounts to an attempt to politicise a matter that has already been concluded by the courts.
He alleged that the move was targeted at dragging Saraki into a case in which, according to him, legal authorities had previously found no evidence linking him to the incident.
Adewara referenced earlier legal opinions from the Office of the Attorney General of the Federation, which reportedly stated that Saraki was not connected to the robbery case.
The party insisted that suspects in the case had already been prosecuted and convicted, with judgments upheld at appellate levels, while the matter is currently before the Supreme Court.
PDP urged Governor Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq to focus on governance rather than what it described as attempts to revive old political narratives.
It also called on security agencies to monitor the situation closely, warning that such actions could heighten political tension in the state.
The party further appealed to residents, especially families of victims in Offa, not to allow their pain to be used for political purposes.
Senator representing Oyo South, Sharafadeen Alli, has declared his intention to contest the Oyo State governorship election ahead of the 2027 general elections.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶
reports that Alli, who serves under the All Progressives Congress (APC), made the declaration on Friday during a formal event held at the Police Field in Yemetu, Ibadan North Local Government Area.
The APC chieftain and Ekaarun Balogun of Ibadanland said he will be running on the platform of his party.
The event attracted thousands of APC leaders, stakeholders, and members, including top political figures such as Senator Yunus Akintunde, House of Representatives members Akin Alabi, Aderemi Oseni, Akeem Adeyemi, Olafisoye Akinmoyede, Tajudeen Abisodun, and Senator Hamzat Adeseun.
Also in attendance were former Deputy Governor Iyiola Oladokun, Asiwaju Yemi Aderibigbe, and Alhaji Fatai Ibikunle, among others.
Alli said his decision followed wide consultations with stakeholders and was driven by his desire to advance the development of Oyo State.
He noted his past political experience, including serving as Chairman of Ibadan North Local Government and Secretary to the Oyo State Government under Senator Rasidi Ladoja, as well as his current role in the Senate, where he said he has consistently advocated for his constituents.
According to him, his ambition is focused on delivering better governance and moving the state forward.
A PDP chieftain and convener of The Alternative, Otunba Segun Showunmi, has declared his intention to contest the 2027 Ogun State governorship election.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶
reports that Showunmi made the announcement during a courtesy visit to the Inter-Party Advisory Council (IPAC) secretariat in Abeokuta on Friday.
He called for a broad political coalition involving opposition parties and grassroots groups to challenge what he described as the failures of dominant political forces in the state.
Showunmi argued that political parties may choose or endorse candidates, but insisted such arrangements must not deny voters a genuine electoral choice.
He said: “I will be running for governor in the 2027 governorship election. I have come to plead with you to set up a small committee… to determine how we can collaborate to make this happen.”
He also questioned whether Ogun State would experience a “coronation” or a competitive election process, urging stakeholders to allow open political contest.
The PDP chieftain noted that Ogun West’s long-standing exclusion from producing a governor is a legitimate grievance, but stressed that aspirations must still be tested through competition.
He advocated issue-based campaigns ahead of 2027, rejecting “money politics” and challenging aspirants to public debates on governance.
Showunmi maintained that he has no history of violence or political thuggery, insisting the election should be centred on ideas and development plans for the state.
In response, IPAC leadership and other political actors at the event called for collaboration and careful selection of leaders ahead of the 2027 elections.
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