The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has plunged deeper into crisis as the camp loyal to Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, rejected the expulsion of its key members following the party’s controversial convention in Ibadan, Oyo State. What should have been a unifying gathering has now widened long-standing cracks within the opposition party.
The November 15 convention drew more than 3,000 delegates, but the event itself was overshadowed by a flurry of conflicting court orders. Days before the meeting, a Federal High Court in Abuja halted the convention, ruling that the party violated its own regulations by shutting out former Jigawa State Governor Sule Lamido from contesting the chairmanship position. Justice Peter Lifu insisted that Lamido be granted the opportunity to run, effectively putting the convention on hold.
But in a dramatic twist, the Oyo State High Court gave the green light for the event to proceed. This legal tug-of-war set the stage for what many analysts now describe as an open rebellion against Governor Seyi Makinde’s leadership.
By the end of the convention, heavyweight politicians including Wike and former Ekiti State Governor Ayodele Fayose had been expelled—a decision that immediately triggered outrage. Abdulrahman Mohammed, also expelled and still insisting he remains Acting National Chairman, dismissed the convention as “illegal” and vowed to continue his duties. Others within the Wike bloc, such as Deputy National Youth Leader Timothy Osadolor, argued that the convention breached standing court orders and lacked proper accreditation from state chapters, making its decisions void.
While the Southwest PDP celebrated Makinde for “rescuing” the party and restoring public trust, several states—including Rivers and Akwa Ibom—condemned the convention entirely. They maintained that any gathering held in defiance of court rulings could not stand. Jigawa’s chapter also refused participation, aligning fully with Lamido’s legal position.
This intensifying factional war is now threatening the PDP’s stability ahead of the 2027 elections. Former presidential candidate Gbenga Olawepo-Hashim warned that the party may implode if urgent reconciliation does not occur. Meanwhile, the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) seized the moment to mock the PDP’s turmoil, offering unsolicited advice on “party management.”
For now, the PDP stands at a crossroads. With legal battles mounting, rival factions trading accusations, and critical states pulling away, the party’s future appears increasingly uncertain. Whether unity can be restored—or whether the divisions have reached a point of no return remains to be seen.
