PDP has crisis has deepened following Governors rejection of Wike camp’s consensus candidates ahead of national convention.
NewsOnline Nigeria reports that the internal crisis rocking the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) intensified on Tuesday as governors within the party distanced themselves from the emergence of consensus candidates for the positions of national chairman and national secretary by a faction aligned with Nyesom Wike.
The development signals fresh tension within Nigeria’s main opposition party ahead of its scheduled national convention later this month.
Sources within the party disclosed that Samuel Anyanwu and Abdulrahman Mohammed have emerged as consensus candidates for the offices of National Secretary and National Chairman respectively, with the backing of the Wike-led faction.
However, senior PDP figures aligned with the governors’ camp have rejected the process that produced the candidates, insisting that the move violates party procedures and could worsen the ongoing leadership crisis.
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Party insiders close to the governors-backed National Working Committee led by Tanimu Turaki said they would explore all available legal options to challenge the development.
According to one source, the governors’ camp views the proposed convention process as fundamentally flawed and intends to review relevant provisions of the party constitution, the Electoral Act and the Nigerian Constitution before deciding on the next steps.
“We are determined to pursue lawful means to resolve this issue and ensure the party remains a viable platform for our members,” the source said.
Origins of the PDP Leadership Crisis
The PDP has remained divided for nearly a year following disagreements over leadership and internal governance.
The rift deepened when the governors’ camp, reportedly supported by Seyi Makinde of Oyo State and Bala Mohammed of Bauchi State, organised a national convention in Ibadan in November 2025 where Turaki and other officials were elected into the National Working Committee.
In response, the Wike-led faction established a 13-member National Caretaker Committee in December, appointing Abdulrahman Mohammed as Acting National Chairman and Anyanwu as Acting National Secretary to oversee party affairs pending a new convention.
Court Intervention
The leadership dispute later moved to the courts. On March 9, a panel of the Court of Appeal led by Justice Mohammed Danjuma affirmed an earlier ruling of the Federal High Court in Abuja which nullified the Ibadan convention.
The court held that the processes leading to the convention violated the Electoral Act, the Nigerian Constitution and the PDP constitution, thereby invalidating the election of Turaki and other officials.
In a separate ruling, another Court of Appeal panel led by Justice Biobele Georgewill encouraged both factions to pursue an amicable settlement.
Despite early signs of reconciliation, recent developments suggest that efforts to resolve the crisis may have stalled.
Zoning of Party Positions
Sources within the Wike camp revealed that party leaders had agreed on zoning arrangements ahead of the national convention scheduled for March 29–30.
Under the proposed arrangement, the position of National Chairman is zoned to the North-Central while the National Secretary position is allocated to the South-East.
Stakeholders from the North-Central zone reportedly endorsed Abdulrahman Mohammed as their consensus candidate for national chairman after consultations involving former Benue State Governor Samuel Ortom and former Kogi State Deputy Governor Philip Salawu.
Party insiders said Wike appealed to both leaders to step aside in favour of Mohammed to ensure a unified candidature from the region.
Calls for Unity
Amid the deepening crisis, former presidential candidate Gbenga Olawepo-Hashim warned against organising another factional convention, describing the move as a threat to the survival of the party.
He urged party leaders to honour earlier reconciliation agreements and return to negotiations to build a unified leadership structure.
Similarly, a member of the PDP Board of Trustees and former Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Chibudom Nwuche, called for peace and reconciliation among party stakeholders.
According to him, unity within the PDP is critical as the party prepares for the 2027 general elections.
“Enough of division and court cases. It is time for reconciliation and a collective commitment to repositioning the party,” Nwuche said.
He added that the upcoming national convention in Abuja should serve as a platform for healing divisions, rebuilding trust and charting a clear path for the party’s future.
Political observers warn that unless the rival factions resolve their differences, the prolonged crisis could weaken the PDP’s ability to compete effectively in future elections.
