Showdown Looms: PDP Governors Warn Wike Not To Wreck Ibadan Convention

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Governors’ Forum has cautioned the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, along with other dissenting members, against moves that could jeopardize the party’s upcoming national convention slated for November 15, 2025, in Ibadan, Oyo State.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

This warning was issued in a communiqué released after the Forum’s 7th meeting, held on Saturday, August 23, 2025, in Gusau, Zamfara State.

Reiterating their loyalty to the resolutions of the PDP’s 101st National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting in July, which endorsed Ibadan as the convention venue, the governors vowed to resist any attempt by “anti-party forces” to derail the event.

“The Forum reaffirms its full commitment to the resolutions of the 101st NEC meeting of July 2025 regarding the November 15 National Convention. It urges members to resist all attempts to derail the convention by anti-party forces and to view the PDP as the only democratic institution and viable alternative capable of restoring Nigeria on the path of good governance and national development,” the communiqué stated.

Chaired by Bauchi State Governor Bala Mohammed, the meeting deliberated on insecurity, the erosion of democratic values, and preparations for the Ibadan convention. The governors commended PDP leaders and members for weathering “orchestrated defections,” stressing that such distractions cannot erode the party’s grassroots strength or diminish Nigerians’ yearning for affordable living and security as experienced under past PDP administrations.

They further accused the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) of fostering divisive governance and implementing policies that worsen hardship across the country.

Wike Stirs Fresh Tensions

On Tuesday, August 19, 2025, Wike appeared on Channels Television’s Politics Today, where he rejected the PDP’s South-South Caretaker Committee and the retention of Ali Odefa as National Vice Chairman (South East). He warned of another looming crisis should the party fail to recognise the Calabar zonal congress, which produced his ally, Chief Dan Orbih, as National Vice Chairman (South-South).

“There is no two ways about it. The National Vice Chairman of PDP South-South is Chief Dan Orbih. If they don’t agree, that’s another round of crisis,” Wike declared.

The former Rivers State governor also dismissed the legitimacy of the zoning committee chaired by Bayelsa State Governor, Douye Diri.

Once a member of the influential G5 group, Wike has since fallen out with his former ally, Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde. He continues to face allegations of anti-party activities for serving in President Bola Tinubu’s APC-led government—claims he has repeatedly denied.