PDP crisis has deepens as Wike’s Faction reportedly took over party’s national secretariat.
NewsOnline Nigeria reports that the internal crisis rocking the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) escalated on Monday after the faction loyal to Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister, Nyesom Wike, seized control of the party’s national secretariat in Abuja.
Led by Alhaji Mohammed Abdulrahman, the PDP National Vice Chairman (North Central), the faction arrived at the Wadata Plaza headquarters with supporters and declared Abdulrahman as the new acting national chairman. His emergence followed the suspension of Amb. Umar Damagum, the embattled PDP national chairman, and several members of the National Working Committee (NWC).
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The development came after the Anyanwu-led faction of the NWC suspended Damagum and others for alleged anti-party activities — a move that mirrored Damagum’s earlier suspension of Senator Samuel Anyanwu and some NWC members.
Tensions flared as pro-Abdulrahman supporters entered the secretariat chanting solidarity songs and demanding Damagum’s immediate exit. Witnesses said thugs stormed the premises, intimidating party staff and journalists before security operatives intervened to restore order.
Abdulrahman, addressing the media, pledged to reunite and reposition the PDP ahead of the next general elections.
“We are ready to work in the interest of our dear party and bring back unity and discipline,” he said.
Meanwhile, Senator Anyanwu has officially written to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to notify it of Abdulrahman’s appointment as acting national chairman. In the letter dated November 3, 2025, addressed to INEC Chairman Prof. Joash Amupitan, Anyanwu requested formal recognition of Abdulrahman’s leadership, citing constitutional provisions.
The worsening division follows a Federal High Court ruling in Abuja that halted the PDP’s planned national convention earlier slated for November 15 in Ibadan, Oyo State. The court order stemmed from a lawsuit filed by some state party chairmen challenging the legality of the convention amid unresolved congresses in several states.
Pro-Makinde Faction Calls for BoT Intervention
A counter group, the PDP Concerned Patriots, loyal to Damagum and backed by Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde, condemned the Wike-led takeover, describing it as unlawful and violent.
Speaking for the group, former NOA Director-General Mike Omeri urged the Board of Trustees (BoT) to assume control of the party’s affairs and restore order.
“We call on the BoT to step in immediately to rescue the PDP from anti-democratic forces and lawlessness,” Omeri said.
He accused some members of betraying the party by defecting after winning elections on its platform, adding that such behavior undermines democracy and the will of the people.
Wike Denies Destroying PDP
Reacting to the crisis, Minister Nyesom Wike dismissed claims that he was responsible for the PDP’s collapse, blaming the turmoil on poor leadership and impunity within the party.
Speaking on Channels Television’s Politics Today, Wike said he had been a loyal member of the PDP since 1998 and would not be accused of destroying a party he helped build.
“I have been a bona fide member of PDP since 1998. I was elected council chairman twice and governor twice under this party,” he said. “Those accusing me are the ones destroying the PDP with impunity.”
Wike further claimed that excessive funds in the hands of governors have worsened the party’s crisis, accusing some of using state resources to “scatter” the PDP instead of developing their states.
He commended the suspension of Damagum and welcomed the court judgment stopping the PDP convention, arguing that it upheld the rule of law.
“The law requires you to notify INEC 21 days before any convention. They failed to comply — that’s impunity. The court only did the right thing,” Wike said.
With both factions holding ground and the PDP BoT under pressure to intervene, the crisis threatens to push Nigeria’s once-dominant opposition party deeper into disarray.
