PDP Turmoil Explod As Governors Slam Wike-Backed Faction’s Latest Moves

The Wike-aligned caretaker panel had earlier announced a new timetable for the party’s national convention, shifting it from March 28 to March 29–30. In a statement released in Abuja, the committee’s Publicity Secretary, Jungudo Mohammed, also revealed that the party’s zonal structures in the Southwest, Northwest, and Plateau had been dissolved during a National Working Committee (NWC) meeting.

However, prominent PDP governors, including Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde and Bauchi State Governor Bala Mohammed, dismissed the committee’s decisions. They argued that the faction has no legal mandate to organise a convention or dissolve any party organs.

The governors reaffirmed their support for the Tanimu Turaki (SAN)-led NWC, which they maintain was properly elected at the party’s last convention. Speaking to Punch, the group’s National Publicity Secretary, Ini Ememobong, criticised the Wike-backed faction, describing it as being “lost in self-deception.”

The dispute follows a Federal High Court ruling in Ibadan last Friday, which nullified the PDP national convention held on November 15, 2025, and restrained Turaki and his associates from functioning as national officers.

Before the judgment, PDP governors had endorsed the Ibadan convention, which produced Turaki’s leadership team for a four-year tenure. Wike and his supporters, however, claimed legitimacy and on December 8, 2025, appointed a 13-member caretaker committee—led by Mohammed Mohammed, Samuel Anyanwu, and others—even before the tenure of former chairman Umar Damagum officially ended on December 9.

Both factions later sought recognition from the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), but the commission declined to acknowledge either side, triggering further legal disputes ahead of the 2027 elections.

Reacting to the court ruling, the Turaki-led NWC said it has instructed its lawyers to file an immediate appeal and explore all legal avenues to overturn the decision. Ememobong reiterated confidence in the judiciary and maintained that the Ibadan convention was valid.

Wike Camp Insists Convention Will Hold

Meanwhile, the Wike-backed caretaker committee welcomed the court order restraining Turaki’s group and reaffirmed plans to proceed with organising a convention to usher in new leadership.

Jungudo Mohammed said the committee’s decisions were meant to reposition the party ahead of the 2027 polls.

He explained that although the NEC had initially scheduled the convention for March 28–29, the dates were adjusted after considering certain factors, moving it to March 29–30.

He also confirmed the dissolution of the Northwest, Southwest, and Plateau zonal committees, adding that caretaker structures would soon be appointed. He noted that the congress timetable approved by the NEC would remain in effect.

On reconciliation, Mohammed said the committee was engaging in broad consultations before announcing the National Convention Planning Committee, to allow room for willing party members to participate.

Acting factional chairman Abdulrahman Mohammed also insisted that the PDP remains united under his leadership and promised an inclusive convention.

He said the caretaker committee was working in line with the PDP constitution and electoral laws to ensure transparency and inclusiveness.

Turaki Camp Rejects Dissolution Claims

Responding, Ememobong dismissed the caretaker committee’s actions, insisting that no convention would hold under an illegitimate body and that the zonal committees had not been dissolved.

He stated that the Wike-aligned faction lacks both the authority and capacity to carry out such decisions, describing their actions as nothing more than “a movie called Fool’s Paradise.”