The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) is embroiled in a leadership struggle, with rival factions engaging in a battle for control of the party's national leadership. The two camps, one aligned with Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde and the other loyal to Minister of the Federal Capital Territory Nyesom Wike, have adopted a mix of legal actions and political tactics. The Wike-backed faction currently holds sway over the party structure, following a series of court rulings that nullified the elective national convention organised by the Makinde group in November 2025.

The Wike faction has constituted interim members of the National Working Committee (NWC) and the Board of Trustees (BoT) to oversee the party's affairs for an initial 60-day period. In a bid to consolidate its grip, the faction has dissolved several State Executive Committees (SECs) perceived to be loyal to the rival camp, replacing them with its own nominees. The group is pushing to legitimise its leadership structure at a national convention scheduled for March 29, where its nominee National Chairman, Abdulrahman Mohammed, and National Secretary, Senator Samuel Anyanwu, are expected to be ratified.

The Makinde camp has moved to halt the process, filing a suit at a Federal High Court in Ibadan seeking to restrain the Wike faction from holding the convention. Experts say the court's decision will be crucial in determining the fate of the convention.

💡 NaijaBuzz Take

The ongoing power struggle within the PDP is a stark reminder of the party's internal weaknesses. The factionalised leadership has led to a series of court battles, with the Wike-backed group currently holding sway over the party structure. The legitimacy of the Wike faction's leadership is now at stake, with the Makinde camp pushing to halt the national convention scheduled for March 29. This development has significant implications for the party's unity and its ability to effectively participate in the 2027 general elections. The people of Nigeria deserve a united and cohesive opposition party that can effectively challenge the ruling party. The PDP must put its house in order to regain the trust of Nigerians.