Once touted as the largest political party in Africa, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) chaos shows no sign of abating, governors, former governors, and party executives attempt to resolve the leadership crisis threatening Nigeria’s main opposition party, failed again as FCT Minister Nyesom Wike flexes federal might.
A high-stakes meeting ended in deadlock, with the Minister storming out early after clashing with governors over who should control the party’s machinery ahead of critical May elections and August convention.
“He arrived last and left first—clearly unhappy with the proposals,” a party insider voiced out to the hearing of journalists.
At the heart of the crisis: who occupies the powerful national chairman and secretary positions, and more importantly, which region will produce the PDP’s 2027 presidential candidate.
The dispute centres on two key figures—Acting National Chairman Ambassador Umar Damagum and embattled National Secretary Samuel Anyanwu.
Most PDP governors want to replace Anyanwu, who lost the 2023 Imo governorship race, with a new South-East nominee. But Wike, wielding outsized influence despite supporting the ruling APC government, demands Anyanwu complete his term.
“The governors wanted to ratify decisions they made in Oyo State,” a source revealed. “But Wike’s loyalists blocked every move.”
The standoff has paralysed party operations ahead of its National Executive Committee meeting scheduled for May 27.
Wike, speaking on television Monday, threatened legal action if anyone but Anyanwu signs official party documents.
“If another person signs INEC documents, I will go to court,” Wike warned. “You will put PDP in a serious quagmire.”
He cited a recent Supreme Court judgment that both factions interpret differently, calling it definitive proof of Anyanwu’s legitimacy.
“Why take such a risk when Anyanwu’s tenure ends in December?” Wike asked. “Some pushing for his removal are afraid about who will sign NEC notices or submit INEC lists.”
The minister dropped another bombshell, demanding the party publicly declare which region will produce its 2027 presidential candidate—and warning against another northern nomination.
“They can’t zone the presidency to the North—no,” he declared. “I told them their selfishness can kill a system.”
Wike accused party leaders of manipulating zoning in 2023: “You want the South to produce the national chairman again so the North can still take the presidential ticket? You want to play the same game you played in 2023—and when it backfired, you blamed others.”
Unable to break the impasse, the PDP established a seven-member reconciliation committee headed by former Senate President Bukola Saraki.
“We discussed existential issues affecting our party and agreed to chart a clear path forward,” announced Bauchi Governor Bala Mohammed, chairman of the PDP Governors’ Forum.
The committee—including Governors Dauda Lawal (Zamfara), Caleb Mutfwang (Plateau), and Peter Mbah (Enugu)—faces the daunting task of unifying warring factions before the party implodes.
Meanwhile, the PDP continues haemorrhaging members to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
PDP Board of Trustees Chairman Senator Adolphus Wabara tried stemming panic during Monday’s inauguration of 33 new board members, declaring: “The God of PDP never sleeps and will never sleep. PDP shall rise again.”
But political analyst Dr. Sam Amadi offered a stark assessment: “The PDP cannot function effectively as an opposition party while key figures like Wike openly support the ruling APC.”
“To be credible opposition, the PDP must expel members working for President Tinubu’s re-election,” Amadi insisted. “You can’t have a leading opposition figure actively campaigning for the incumbent president. It makes the PDP look like a joke.”
Complicating matters, many governors reportedly fear another presidential run by former Vice President Atiku Abubakar.
“Many PDP governors are uneasy with Atiku’s expected presidential ambition,” revealed Mallam Umar Sani, former spokesperson to ex-Vice President Namadi Sambo.
Atiku’s dominance in past primaries—defeating numerous governors in Port Harcourt (2018) and Abuja (2022)—has governors plotting to block his path.
PDP chairmanship aspirant Conrad Terhide Utaan delivered the most ominous warning: “If the Atiku bloc exits, there will be nothing left. The Wike bloc is already embedded in the APC.”
As Nigeria’s former ruling party approaches its May NEC meeting, the question isn’t whether it can win in 2027—but whether it will survive at all.
“If this matter is not handled properly,” Wike concluded, “it will bring PDP to an end.”
