PDP On Fire: Makinde, Wike Face-Off Escalates As Convention Showdown Looms

The internal power tussle within the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has intensified into an open confrontation between Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde and the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

Once close allies and key players in the defunct G-5 alliance that opposed Atiku Abubakar’s 2023 presidential bid, the two are now on opposing fronts in the party’s widening crisis.

Makinde has since realigned with the PDP national leadership, while Wike is spearheading a faction demanding structural reforms. The latest flashpoint is the contentious reinstatement of Senator Samuel Anyanwu as National Secretary, a move Wike and his allies support, citing a Supreme Court judgment. However, Makinde and other PDP governors like Bala Mohammed (Bauchi) and Peter Mbah (Enugu) are backing Sunday Ude-Okoye as the rightful replacement, in line with the National Working Committee (NWC) stance.

The NWC has slated the PDP National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting for June 30, with the national convention scheduled for August—timelines Wike’s camp is now attempting to derail.

In a bold move, Wike convened a separate meeting in Abuja—without Makinde—to demand the zoning of the 2027 presidential ticket to the South and full recognition of Anyanwu. His faction also declared that only Anyanwu can legitimately issue notices for NEC or convention meetings, branding any other action as “null and void.”

Wike’s camp is allegedly pushing to postpone the convention, a strategy widely viewed as a bid to buy time and strengthen his influence ahead of 2027.

Party Elders Push Back

Senior PDP leaders have condemned the attempt to delay the convention. Chief Bode George, a member of the party’s Board of Trustees, insisted the NEC meeting will proceed:

“No one owns PDP. Let NEC decide. Wike’s group must calm down.”

Former PDP National Secretary, Senator Ibrahim Tsauri, questioned Wike’s loyalty, accusing him of double-dealing with the APC:

“How can someone remain in PDP while working for the ruling party’s presidential candidate for 2027?”

Eddy Olafeso, former PDP South-West Vice Chairman, also criticized Wike’s interpretation of the party’s constitution and the Supreme Court ruling. However, National Organising Secretary, Capt. Umar Bature (rtd.), backed Wike’s position on Anyanwu.

Regional Chapters React

In response to Wike’s Abuja meeting, Oyo PDP spokesperson Michael Ogunsina dismissed its significance, calling it “a private gathering of Wike and his friends.” He noted that Governor Makinde was instead in dialogue with Senator Bukola Saraki, chair of the party’s reconciliation committee.

In Bauchi, PDP spokesman Dayyabu Ciroma affirmed that decisions about the national convention rest solely with the party’s leadership, not state chapters.