Nigeria's main opposition party, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), is caught in a deep crisis. Rival groups within the party have expelled top figures, held competing meetings, and fought for control of its headquarters. This internal conflict puts the party's stability and its chances in the 2027 general elections at serious risk .
The turmoil centers on a power struggle between the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, and the Governor of Oyo State, Seyi Makinde. Both were once close allies . Their disagreement has now pushed the party toward an open split. The conflict reached a new level after a national convention held in Ibadan on November 15. This gathering was supported by Governor Makinde .
Delegates at that convention ratified the expulsion of Wike and ten other senior party leaders. They were accused of anti-party activities . The convention also elected a new National Working Committee for the party. Kabiru Turaki, a former minister, was chosen as the new National Chairman .
The group loyal to Wike quickly responded. A rival acting National Chairman, Muhammed Abdulrahman, announced the expulsion of Governors Seyi Makinde of Oyo, Bala Mohammed of Bauchi, and Dauda Lawal of Zamfara . Other prominent members, including the party's Board of Trustees chairman, were also expelled . This move showed the deep divisions and set the stage for a direct confrontation.
That confrontation turned violent just days after the convention. The two factions clashed at the party's national secretariat in Abuja. Each group tried to take control of the building . The situation forced police to fire tear gas to disperse surging party members. Governor Makinde and Governor Mohammed arrived at the scene to confront the group aligned with Wike . Soon after, the police sealed the headquarters with a barbed-wire barricade, locking everyone out to prevent more unrest .
Public statements from both sides have been sharp. Governor Bala Mohammed, who leads the PDP Governors' Forum, blamed Wike for the chaos. He described the crisis as a fight between good and bad. Mohammed accused Wike of using gangsterism and impunity. He also claimed Wike is working to ensure the PDP does not form the next government in 2027 .
Governor Makinde explained that his fallout with Wike was about party discipline. He said it was necessary to uphold the party's rules. Makinde also stressed the need to protect Nigeria's multi-party democracy. He has warned the country must avoid becoming a one-party state .
For his part, Wike has dismissed the idea that his rift with Makinde is about a political rivalry. He laughed off speculations about Makinde's alleged presidential ambition. Wike stated their relationship was political, not a close friendship. He said the disagreement was about keeping the PDP disciplined and obeying its rules .
The party's internal crisis is not new. It stems from disputes that affected the PDP during the 2023 presidential election. Back then, Wike, Makinde, and three other governors formed the G-5 group. They campaigned against the party's own presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar . Their rebellion weakened the party and is seen as a reason for its loss in the election. The current conflict shows that the united front of the G-5 has completely shattered .
A major point of contention is the legitimacy of the Ibadan convention. The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has not yet endorsed its outcome . A review of INEC's website showed it still listed the previous leadership. The commission did not send officials to monitor the Ibadan convention . The Wike-aligned faction says this absence makes the convention invalid.
The spokesperson for the Turaki leadership, Ini Ememobong, expressed surprise at INEC's position. He said the group took all required steps to inform the commission . In contrast, the Wike camp's National Secretary, Samuel Anyanwu, dismissed these claims. He told the public to check with INEC to find the authentic leadership .
The legal standing of the party is also messy. Conflicting court orders have added to the confusion. Before the convention, a former governor, Sule Lamido, got a court order from the Federal High Court in Abuja. The order restrained the PDP from holding the convention . However, an Oyo State High Court gave a different order. It permitted the party to proceed with the convention . The group behind the Ibadan gathering relied on the Oyo court's permission to move forward.
Some party chieftains warn that this crisis could technically collapse the PDP. A member of the party's Board of Trustees gave a sweeping assessment of the situation. He said the party could face a technical collapse if the crisis is not resolved. He blamed selfish governors and leaders for being misled by others .
The most immediate danger is to the PDP's ability to contest the 2027 elections. The Electoral Act requires the National Chairman and National Secretary to jointly sign and submit candidate names to INEC . With two groups claiming these offices, the party may be unable to nominate candidates. This could invalidate its submissions for the presidential, gubernatorial, and legislative races .
A party chieftain aligned with the Wike camp voiced this fear. He said the party might find itself in a situation where it does not have a presidential candidate in 2027 . He urged those with presidential ambitions to set them aside for now. The priority, he said, should be to stabilize the party first .
Despite the severe situation, some leaders believe a political solution is still possible. A BoT member said efforts are ongoing from senior elders to start a reconciliation process . Another chieftain advised both sides to withdraw their court cases. He suggested they return to the last recognized status before the crisis. He also proposed creating a caretaker team that all groups can accept . He argued that only a political solution can prevent the party from deeper trouble.
The PDP's internal war is more than a simple power struggle. It is a battle for the soul of Nigeria's main opposition party. The outcome will determine if the PDP can be a strong challenger in the 2027 elections. It will also test the health of the country's multi-party democracy. For now, the party remains trapped in a cycle of conflict. Its future as a united political force hangs in the balance.