The lingering crisis within the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) took a dramatic turn on Sunday as Minister of the Federal Capital Territory and former Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike, officially pulled out of the party’s reconciliation process, accusing top party leaders of dishonesty and betrayal.
Wike, in a personally signed statement titled “PDP Crisis: My Position”, blamed Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, and Enugu State Governor, Peter Mbah, for orchestrating moves that have deepened the party’s internal rift.
He alleged that both governors had violated a gentleman’s agreement reached at a peace meeting hosted by former Senate President Bukola Saraki in Abuja.
The fallout now threatens the scheduled 99th National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting of the party, slated for Tuesday, May 27, amid fears of a potential court injunction or boycott by Wike’s faction.
Wike stated that despite prior agreements to recognize Senator Samuel Anyanwu as the party’s National Secretary and withdraw legal cases related to Rivers State, Makinde and his allies undermined the consensus by pushing for an alternative candidate from the South-East.
“It is disheartening to note that even before the Saraki Committee began its work, the agreement reached was already being crudely violated,” Wike said.
“Makinde connived with Peter Mbah to push for Ude Okoye as secretary and insisted on sidelining the National Secretary, contrary to court rulings.”
Sources within the PDP National Working Committee (NWC) revealed that an emergency meeting was held late Sunday to determine whether Tuesday’s NEC meeting can proceed without escalating the crisis.
The Board of Trustees (BoT) is also scheduled to meet today in Abuja to address the deepening discord.
Party insiders say the conflict is not only about the National Secretary position but also a broader power tussle between factions loyal to Wike and those aligned with Makinde and other serving governors.
The failure to resolve these issues has delayed key decisions, including zoning arrangements and leadership restructuring.
Meanwhile, state chapters of the PDP have expressed mixed reactions.
The Ekiti State PDP Caretaker Chairman, Dare Adeleke, accused Wike of working against the party’s interest and acting as a mole for the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
“It is devilish for anyone who has benefitted immensely from the PDP to turn around and sabotage it,” Adeleke said.
In Ogun State, PDP Secretary Sunday Solarin described Wike as “disengaged,” suggesting he is looking for excuses to join the APC.
Similar sentiments were echoed by party officials in Bayelsa, Bauchi, Gombe, and Anambra States.
Former Senate President Bukola Saraki, who leads the party’s reconciliation committee, said Wike’s withdrawal is not a defeat but a signal that more work needs to be done.
“The alternative to PDP is a one-party state.
“This party remains the last legacy of Nigeria’s early democratic efforts,” Saraki said through his media aide, Yusuph Olaniyonu.
With less than 24 hours to the NEC meeting, the PDP leadership faces a crucial test of unity.
Should the meeting be disrupted or postponed again, it could cement growing fears that Nigeria’s main opposition party is heading towards fragmentation ahead of the 2027 general elections.
