The internal crisis within the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has taken a dramatic turn, as factional South-West National Vice Chairman, Adedeji Doherty, issued a stern warning to elder statesman, Chief Olabode George, over his continued criticism of the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike.
Doherty, reacting to last Thursday’s Supreme Court judgment on the PDP leadership dispute, described the ruling as both timely and expected. He maintained that the party would no longer tolerate actions capable of undermining its unity and warned that disciplinary measures would be taken against any member found wanting.
“We won’t hesitate to expel Chief Bode George from his ward and local government in Lagos State if he continues to malign Wike in the media again. Enough is enough,” Doherty declared.
The warning underscores the widening cracks within the PDP, as key stakeholders continue to clash over the party’s direction and leadership structure ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Doherty also took aim at the controversial national convention held in Ibadan, which he alleged was spearheaded by Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde without following due process. According to him, the PDP constitution mandates that congresses must be completed at ward, local government, and state levels before a national convention can be convened.
He argued that the Ibadan gathering contributed to the party’s declining fortunes, likening it to a biblical allegory in which a woman, knowing her claim to a child was false, suggested splitting the baby in two — a move he said reflected a willingness to destabilize the party rather than preserve it.
The PDP chieftain further criticized those behind the convention for failing to pursue reconciliation with Wike after the Appeal Court judgment. Instead, he said, they escalated the dispute to the Supreme Court despite the tight timelines set by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) ahead of the next general election cycle.
Continuing his broadside, Doherty accused Governor Makinde of engaging in contradictory political conduct, alleging that while claiming to work for the PDP, he was simultaneously involved in coalition-building efforts outside the party.
“No political party worth its salt would admit Seyi Makinde. You claim to be working for the PDP and at the same time assemble people in Ibadan under the guise of forming a coalition. Who does that?” he queried.
Despite the internal wrangling, Doherty expressed optimism about the party’s future, noting that recent court rulings could ultimately strengthen the PDP by bringing clarity to leadership disputes.
“The court experience is a bittersweet pill. It brings an end to the so-called factionalization of members,” he said.
He also criticized comments attributed to former Senate President and Chairman of the PDP Board of Trustees (BoT), Senator Adolphus Wabara, regarding the Supreme Court ruling on leadership disputes involving Senator Samuel Anyanwu and others.
“The Supreme Court struck out their appeal. So what is Senator Wabara talking about? How can you say there is no winner when the apex court nullified their ‘amala’ convention held in Ibadan?” Doherty questioned.
Doherty further expressed concern over what he described as a lack of decorum among senior party figures, warning that such conduct could erode respect for leadership within the party.
“It is unfortunate that some older people won’t respect themselves. How do you expect young people to respect them? Senator Wabara called a BoT meeting and was not physically present. Chief George has often claimed that the BoT is the conscience of the PDP and can take over the running of the party during crises — but where is that stated in our constitution?” he asked.
Adding another layer to the unfolding crisis, Doherty alleged that some party leaders were planning to defect. He claimed that Bauchi State Governor Bala Mohammed had already joined the Allied Peoples Movement (APM), while suggesting that Makinde might soon follow.
“Now they are jumping out of the party. Governor Bala Mohammed of Bauchi has joined the APM, and we hear Makinde may be on his way out. If they truly believed in the PDP, they would have joined hands to salvage it,” he said.
As the PDP grapples with internal divisions, leadership disputes, and potential defections, the party’s ability to present a united front ahead of the 2027 elections remains uncertain. Political observers warn that unless urgent reconciliation efforts are made, the crisis could further weaken the opposition’s chances in the next electoral cycle.
