The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) is currently embroiled in a fierce internal battle, with Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde and Federal Capital Territory Minister Nyesom Wike now leading opposing factions. Once close allies who played pivotal roles in President Bola Tinubu’s 2023 victory by opposing their own party’s candidate, Atiku Abubakar, Makinde and Wike have become adversaries in a struggle that could define the party’s future.
Their alliance, known as the G-5 and including former governors Okezie Ikpeazu, Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, and Samuel Ortom, was instrumental in demanding a southern presidential ticket. However, Atiku, hailing from the North, secured the PDP nomination, fracturing the group’s unity.
The rift has deepened, with Makinde now backed by Bauchi Governor Bala Mohammed and Enugu Governor Peter Mbah, while Wike enjoys support from Plateau’s Caleb Muftwang and Adamawa’s Ahmadu Fintiri. Tensions peaked in Ibadan when PDP governors, led by Makinde, rejected Senator Samuel Anyanwu’s reinstatement as National Secretary, a move Wike saw as betrayal.
Makinde is aligned with the PDP’s national leadership, which has scheduled the 99th National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting for June 30 and the party’s convention for August 2025. Wike, however, is pushing for a postponement to consolidate influence before 2027.
Despite Wike’s press conference and the G-5’s meeting in Abuja—where they warned that backing Sunday Ude-Okoye over Anyanwu as National Secretary could lead to chaos—party leaders insist the August convention will proceed as planned. The ongoing struggle is rooted in a broader power tussle between Atiku and Wike, both seeking to control the party ahead of the next presidential election.
Wike’s open support for President Tinubu’s re-election has further complicated matters, leading to calls for the removal of National Chairman Samuel Anyanwu, whom Atiku’s supporters see as aligned with Wike.
The Wike-led group declared, “In the spirit of fairness, inclusion, federal character principles and respect for our party constitution, the party must make an unequivocal announcement, zoning its presidential candidate to the South in the 2027 general election.” They also reaffirmed Anyanwu as the legitimate National Secretary, insisting only he can issue official party notices.
PDP elder Chief Olabode George warned, “Nobody owns this party, no matter who the heck you are. We don’t have any emperors in our party. We will stick with the rules and regulations as stated. We will be meeting on June 30, and by the grace of God, all this back and forth and innuendos will be put to bed.”
Former National Secretary Sen Ibrahim Tsauri dismissed the idea of postponing the convention, stating, “Wike and his group may be working to stop the convention while the PDP does not bother much on what it expects to happen.”
Other party leaders, including Eddy Olafeso and Umar Bature, weighed in on the constitutional and legal aspects of the National Secretary’s position, while regional chapters in the South-West and Bauchi emphasized the authority of the national leadership.
Oyo’s PDP chapter dismissed Wike’s Abuja meeting as a mere gathering of “followers and friends,” not recognized by the party. Meanwhile, Governor Makinde was reportedly meeting with reconciliation committee chairman Senator Bukola Saraki during the Abuja event.
As the June 30 NEC meeting approaches, the PDP remains at a crossroads, with its unity and direction hanging in the balance.
