The internal crisis in the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) deepened on Tuesday as governors in the opposition party rejected the consensus arrangement for the positions of national chairman and national secretary backed by the camp of the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike.
The governors distanced themselves from the decision and indicated that they might seek legal redress to challenge the process ahead of the party’s national convention.
Reports from party insiders revealed that Samuel Anyanwu and Abdulrahman Mohammed had emerged as consensus candidates for the positions of national secretary and national chairman respectively under the Wike-backed faction.
However, members of the National Working Committee aligned with Tanimu Turaki insisted that they would explore all legal options to contest the move, arguing that the process was flawed.
The PDP has remained divided for months following a leadership tussle between rival factions within the party. The governors’ camp, supported by Seyi Makinde of Oyo State and Bala Mohammed of Bauchi State, earlier conducted a convention in Ibadan where Turaki and other members were elected into the party’s National Working Committee.
In response, the Wike-led group set up a 13-member National Caretaker Committee in December, appointing Mohammed as acting national chairman and Anyanwu as acting national secretary to oversee the party pending a substantive convention.
The crisis took a legal turn after the Court of Appeal upheld a ruling of the Federal High Court that nullified the Ibadan convention, declaring that it violated the Electoral Act, the Nigerian Constitution, and the PDP constitution.
Although both factions had previously shown signs of reconciliation, the disagreement over the upcoming national convention scheduled for March 29–30 has renewed tensions within the party.
Meanwhile, former presidential aspirant Gbenga Olawepo‑Hashim warned that organising another factional convention could further divide the PDP and weaken its chances ahead of the 2027 general elections.
He urged party leaders to return to the negotiation table and work towards a unified leadership structure, stressing that unity remains crucial for the party’s survival and electoral competitiveness.
Similarly, a former Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Chibudom Nwuche, called on PDP leaders and members to embrace reconciliation and set aside their differences in the interest of the party as it prepares for future elections.
