The internal crisis within the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) escalated on Tuesday as a bloc of PDP governors rejected key decisions announced by a caretaker committee aligned with the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike. The governors described the faction as unconstitutional and lacking the authority to take binding decisions on behalf of the party.
The Wike-backed caretaker committee had earlier announced adjustments to the party’s national convention timetable, shifting the event from March 28 to March 29 and 30. In addition, the committee disclosed that it dissolved the zonal structures of the Southwest, Northwest, and Plateau during a meeting of its National Working Committee.
However, governors including Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde and Bauchi State Governor Bala Mohammed dismissed the caretaker committee’s actions, insisting that the group has no constitutional mandate to organise a national convention or dissolve any party organ. The governors reaffirmed their loyalty to the Tanimu Turaki (SAN)-led National Working Committee, which they maintain was duly elected at the PDP’s last convention.
The crisis follows a Federal High Court ruling in Ibadan last Friday which nullified the PDP national convention held on November 15, 2025, and restrained Turaki and others from acting as national officers. Despite this ruling, the governors’ camp has continued to defend the legitimacy of the Ibadan Convention, while the Turaki-led leadership has reportedly instructed its lawyers to file an appeal and pursue all legal means to overturn the judgment.
Meanwhile, the Wike-aligned caretaker committee welcomed the court’s restraining order against Turaki’s camp and vowed to proceed with preparations for a new convention. The faction said the adjustment in dates and dissolution of zonal committees were part of efforts to reposition the party ahead of the 2027 general elections, promising an “all-inclusive” convention through consultations with returning party members.
Reacting strongly, Turaki’s spokesperson, Ini Ememobong, dismissed the caretaker committee’s moves as illegitimate, insisting no convention would hold under its authority. He stressed that the zonal structures in question remain intact, arguing that the Wike-backed faction lacked both the capacity and legal standing to dissolve them, as the PDP’s leadership tussle continues to deepen with fresh legal and political battles looming ahead.
