The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) is once again amid an internal whirlwind, as tensions build between the camp of Federal Capital Territory Minister, Nyesom Wike, and the party’s hierarchy ahead of its anticipated national convention slated for November 15—16, 2025, in Ibadan, Oyo State. Loyalists to the former Rivers State governor have released a new set of demands that could damage the convention, igniting a fierce response from the party’s governors and national officers, who assert the exercise is sacrosanct.
While meeting as “Eminent Leaders and Concerned Stakeholders of the PDP”, Wike’s loyalists stated they will accept nothing other than some micro-zoning of positions in the National Working Committee (NWC). They insisted that the position of National Chairman must remain in the North-Central region in accordance with the convention’s zoning formula adopted by the party’s National Executive Committee (NEC) in 2021. They argued that any adjustment to that arrangement would distort the internal equilibrium, disenfranchise party members, and invalidate the convention.
The group also announced other conditions they characterised as vital to fairness and inclusion. They insisted that the party must immediately conduct new congresses in Ebonyi and Anambra states in compliance with existing court orders. In addition, they sought a new South-East zonal congress, acknowledgement of the South-South congress in Calabar affirmed by judicial pronouncements, as well as immediate local government congresses in Ekiti State.
As stated in the communication issued during the conclusion of their meeting, the PDP is at a critical fork in the road where its capacity to follow its constitution, the rule of law and provide fairness will dictate whether it will have a future. The statement cautioned that it is impossible to achieve unity based on disenfranchisement or exclusion, emphasizing that a credible convention must be based on transparency, inclusion and fairness.
In attendance at the meeting were former governors Samuel Ortom (Benue), Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi (Enugu), Ayo Fayose (Ekiti), and Okezie Ikpeazu (Abia) and PDP National Secretary Senator Samuel Anyanwu. Their presence represented the growing heft of the faction which has established itself as a prominent voice of significant importance within the opposition party.
As a result, PDP National Chairman, Ambassador Umar Illya Damagum, quickly rejected any idea of a diversion from the party’s course and stated the November convention is a sacred activity. While speaking at the inauguration of the 119 member National Convention Organising Committee led by the Governor of Adamawa State, Ahmadu Fintiri, and was co-chaired by the Governor of Osun State, Ademola Adeleke, and the secretary Governor of Enugu State, Peter Mbah, Damagum said that the party is not going to be distracted.
He admitted that managing diverging interests is always difficult but affirmed that the PDP is united and determined to retake power in 2027. Damagum stated that under his leadership the NWC has made every effort to stabilize the party, pursue reconciliation, and maintain its place as the leading voice of opposition. He said the PDP is not broken and it is progressively organized to reconstruct Nigeria from what he called the disorganization of the ruling party.
The governors of the party were also very forceful, indicating their determination to enforce discipline and play a role in prevention of sabotage. Chairman of the PDP Governor’s Forum and Governor of Bauchi State, Senator Bala Mohammed, said that the time has come to take charge of the party’s affairs. He warned that acceptable and consensus shouldn’t be interpreted as weakness, and asserted that governors won’t continue to tolerate indiscipline or impunity. His frankness, which included challenging anyone who wanted to form a faction of fools to go ahead, revealed the serious frustration among the governors over the continued internal struggles in the party for almost a year.
Other leaders of the PDP including the members of the Board of Trustees reminded that the convention must be open, transparent and democratic. It was a reminder that democracy is majority rule, with an allowance for others to dissent and test their popularity at the polls. Deputy National Chairman Amb. Taofeek Arapaja suggested that the PDP is for everybody and can’t be commandeered by a clique or an individual, assuring Nigerians that the PDP is the most viable alternative to the current administration. Governor Fintiri, at the occasion of his acceptance speech, said he was committed to having an open and court compliant convention to galvanize the party for the 2027 elections.
He reminded everyone of the successful 2021 convention that produced the current NWC and promised to use that as a template. He asked members of the planning committee to be thorough and sacrificial in the discharge of their responsibilities. He promised that the next convention would be the most transparent and credible in the history of PDP, one that would create an opportunity for reconciliation and unity as the party prepares for national leadership again.
The ongoing dispute illustrates the contest for power in PDP’s leadership politics in the lead up to the next general elections. The point of contention is zoning the national chairmanship vis-à-vis allowing existing NWC members to rotate into other roles under micro zoning arrangements. Wike’s camp argues that retaining the chair in the North-Central is a matter of equity, while the governors and NWC sneak that the concessions represented an affront to the party and a potential destabilizer. With a party already reeling from the consequences of disputed congresses in multiple states, both camps seek to influence the formation of the next NWC, which will be tasked with appointing candidates, developing strategies, and building alliances in preparation for 2027.
The implications of the dispute go beyond the internal wrestling of PDP leaders. Lobbyists and government insiders have disclosed that prior to the last NEC meeting, National Secretary Samuel Anyanwu declined to sign the notification letter to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for the convention on the basis of the un-fulfiled demands, but signed it after pressure from governors. The court matters if the congress disputes remain unresolved going into the convention are a real possibility!
Despite the fissures, the leadership maintains that the PDP is still together and committed to being the credible alternative to the ruling party. PDP leaders say attempts to sponsor distractions, or take advantage of divisions and disagreement, will not hold as the party has gone through previous crises and emerged stronger. However, the tone of the recent exchanges appears to reflect a possible chaotic few weeks ahead with difficult negotiations, court actions, and likely tactical compromise before delegates meet in Ibadan.
As the date approaches, one thing is certain; the November convention will be a watershed moment for PDP. For Wike and his supporters, it is about maintaining the power and influence over the party. For the governors and the NWC, it is about preserving the unity of the party and fulfilling the party’s rules. Between the camps lies the future of Nigeria’s oldest opposition party and its chances at reclaiming power in 2027.