As the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) prepares for its National Elective Convention scheduled for November in Ibadan, Oyo State, internal disputes have deepened.
The faction loyal to Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has outrightly rejected the recent Southern Zoning Consultative Meeting convened by Bayelsa State Governor Douye Diri in Lagos.
Amid the escalating internal tensions, PDP governors are expected to converge in Zamfara State this weekend to address critical issues threatening the party’s unity. The meeting aims to chart a way forward for the Ibadan convention, with arrivals slated for Friday and deliberations on Saturday.
A source within the PDP National Working Committee revealed that the meeting would explore both political compromise and institutional pressure to ensure the convention holds as planned on November 15–16.
Wike’s faction comprising state party chairmen from Imo, Abia, Cross River, Akwa Ibom, and Rivers, along with National Assembly members and former governors issued a joint statement dismissing the Lagos meeting’s resolutions. They argued it was unrepresentative and convened without broad consultation.
The statement criticized the meeting’s legitimacy, alleging that many key stakeholders, including state chairmen and national officers from the South-East and South-South, were deliberately excluded. It further accused organizers of undermining the PDP’s internal democracy to serve narrow interests.
Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde defended the Lagos meeting, insisting it was intended to strengthen the party and that NEC would still decide on zoning. He criticized Wike’s camp for escalating tensions, saying, “When people go low or into the gutters, I don’t go with them.” Makinde stressed that the party’s focus should be on rebuilding and preparing for the 2027 elections, not internal power struggles.
He noted that PDP’s performance in recent elections across several states proved it remained a force. Meanwhile, Wike, during a flag-off event in Karu, Abuja, praised allies of President Bola Tinubu, saying he would support those aligned with the current federal administration, regardless of party affiliation.
“Anybody who supports Tinubu, I will support him,” Wike declared, affirming his loyalty to individuals who help bring development to the FCT and demonstrating growing friction between his camp and PDP’s central leadership .
