PDP governors elected on the party’s platform openly opposed moves by a caretaker committee linked to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, insisting that the group has no power to fix convention dates or dissolve party structures.
The disagreement followed the decision by the Wike-backed caretaker committee to shift the party’s national convention from March 28 to March 29 and 30. The committee also announced the dissolution of the South-West, North-West and Plateau State zonal committees after a meeting in Abuja. The announcement was made by the committee’s publicity secretary, Jungudo Mohammed.
Governors loyal to the National Working Committee led by Tanimu Turaki, including Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde and Bauchi State Governor Bala Mohammed, rejected the action. They maintained that the caretaker committee was not recognised by the party’s constitution and therefore could not organise a national convention or remove zonal officers.
The dispute is linked to a court judgment delivered last Friday by a Federal High Court in Ibadan, which nullified the PDP national convention held in November 2025 and restrained Turaki and others from acting as national officers. Despite the ruling, PDP governors had earlier endorsed the Ibadan convention, while the Wike-aligned group insisted it was still in control of the party’s leadership.
Following the court decision, both factions sought recognition from the Independent National Electoral Commission, but the commission declined to recognise either side. This development led to multiple legal battles as the party prepares for the 2027 general elections.
The Turaki-led National Working Committee said it had instructed its lawyers to file an appeal against the Ibadan court ruling. On the other hand, the Wike-backed group welcomed the judgment and reiterated its plan to organise a fresh convention to install new party leaders.
PDP staff at the national secretariat also weighed in, declaring their loyalty to the Turaki-led leadership. In a joint statement signed by senior officials and dozens of staff members, they argued that the Ibadan convention was valid, that INEC was duly notified, and that courts should not interfere in the internal affairs of the party.
Meanwhile, Governor Makinde, speaking at the commissioning of the PDP secretariat in Ibadan, said the party would not allow internal disorder to destroy it again. His comments sparked sharp reactions from Wike’s camp, with allies trading words over control and influence within the party.
As the legal and political battles continue, the PDP remains divided, with both factions holding firm positions on leadership, convention plans and the future direction of the opposition party ahead of the next general elections.