The Makinde-led faction of the PDP has reaffirmed its plan to conduct party primaries and a national convention, defying warnings from FCT Minister Nyesom Wike. The move comes as the May 30 deadline set by INEC for candidate submissions approaches. Ini Ememobong, spokesperson for the Makinde group, stated the party is proceeding with the sale of nomination forms and primary arrangements. He described the Tanimu Turaki-led Interim National Management Committee as the legitimate leadership of the PDP.
Wike, speaking at a media briefing on Wednesday, threatened to take action against banks collecting nomination fees for the Makinde faction. In response, Ememobong dismissed Wike's claims, stating that no position of "National Leader" exists in the party's constitution. He added that Wike's conduct and speeches disqualify him from such a role, even if it did exist. The Makinde group emphasized that the sale of forms is ongoing and cannot be stopped by threats.
Ememobong accused Wike of moral emptiness and opportunism, calling his media appearance "full of sound and fury, signifying nothing." He claimed Wike's associates filed cross-appeals now dismissed by the court, and challenged Wike to disclose the details of those legal filings. The statement described Wike's actions as a "political swan song" and a "last kick of a dying horse." The group apologized to Nigerians for having provided a platform to Wike, whom they said has become an international disgrace.
Nyesom Wike threatens banks over PDP form sales while the Makinde faction insists it already operates official party accounts, exposing a contradiction in his authority claims. The public clash reveals a split leadership that confuses party members and voters ahead of the election cycle. If Wike can neither stop the form sales nor name the court's ruling he referenced, his influence may rely more on noise than power. Nigerians watching are left to question which faction actually controls the PDP's machinery and finances.
Editorial note: AI-assisted opinion, not established fact. Full disclaimer →
