The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) is heading for a major showdown ahead of its November National Convention in Ibadan, Oyo State, as tensions between the party leadership and the camp of Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister, Nyesom Wike, deepen.
After a late-night meeting on Monday, Wike and his allies — former governors Samuel Ortom, Ayo Fayose, Okezie Ikpeazu, and Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi — issued a six-point demand to the National Working Committee (NWC), insisting the conditions must be met before the convention.
Wike’s Camp Demands:
- Fresh congresses in Ebonyi and Anambra states in line with court rulings.
- A new South-East zonal congress.
- Immediate conduct of Ekiti LGA congresses.
- Recognition of South-South congress outcomes upheld by courts.
- End to micro-zoning beyond NEC’s approved formula.
- Retention of the national chairmanship in the North Central.
They warned that failure to comply would render the convention invalid.
Party Leadership Pushes Back
At the inauguration of the 2025 National Convention Organising Committee in Abuja, PDP leaders openly dismissed Wike’s threats.
- Bala Mohammed, Bauchi State governor and chairman of the PDP Governors’ Forum, declared: “We are not cowards, we are not afraid of anybody. But we will not allow PDP to be dragged into self-destruction. Enough is enough.”
- Ambassador Umar Damagum, PDP National Chairman, insisted the party would not bow to pressure: “The PDP is not broken. We are stronger, more determined, and prepared to reclaim the presidency and rebuild Nigeria.”
Damagum also accused the ruling APC of backing saboteurs within PDP to destabilise the opposition.
- Representing PDP BOT Chair, Senator Ahmed Makarfi cautioned: “The majority cannot be held hostage by a few. A convention is about the will of the majority, not 100% agreement.”
- Governor Ahmadu Fintiri of Adamawa, chairman of the convention committee, vowed to deliver “the fairest and most credible convention ever,” stressing that no amount of blackmail would derail the process.
The Stakes
At Wike’s Abuja residence on Monday night, Ortom, Fayose, Ikpeazu, Ugwuanyi and PDP National Secretary Senator Sam Anyanwu reiterated that only equity, fairness, and inclusivity would keep PDP a credible alternative for Nigerians.
But PDP leaders appear ready for a confrontation, declaring that discipline and the majority’s will — not ultimatums — will guide the party’s path to 2027.
