Fresh PDP crisis deepens as Wike camp unveils primaries plan

A new wave of internal turmoil has hit the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) as the faction backed by Nyesom Wike announced plans to commence preparations for party primaries in line with electoral guidelines.

Leaders of the Wike-aligned bloc made the declaration on Monday during what they described as the party’s 108th National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting held at the PDP national headquarters, Wadata Plaza, Abuja.

The faction’s National Chairman, Abdulrahman Mohammed, said the party had moved past its leadership uncertainty and was now focused on consolidation and electoral readiness ahead of the 2027 polls.

He emphasised the need for discipline, adherence to party structures, and internal reforms, assuring members that the PDP would conduct transparent and credible primaries.

“The era of uncertainty is behind us. We are now on the roadmap for nationwide primaries,” he stated.

In his remarks, Wike called for renewed reconciliation efforts to bring back defected members, urging the leadership to set up a strong committee to engage aggrieved stakeholders and rebuild unity within the party.

Also speaking, the faction’s Board of Trustees Chairman, Mao Ohuabunwa, stressed the importance of unity, discipline, and collective commitment, calling on members to set aside personal interests to strengthen the party ahead of future elections.

However, the rival camp led by Tanimu Turaki rejected the meeting, describing it as illegitimate and alleging infiltration by the ruling party.

The Turaki faction, which has the backing of Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde and Bauchi State Governor Bala Mohammed, warned members against recognising decisions taken at the gathering.

Both factions remain locked in a prolonged leadership battle, with multiple court cases pending over control of the party structure.

In a related development, factional National Secretary Samuel Anyanwu has approached the appellate court to challenge a Federal Capital Territory High Court judgment that upheld his expulsion from the party.

Meanwhile, the Turaki-led bloc has written to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), seeking the derecognition of the Mohammed-led leadership, further escalating the crisis.

Despite the deepening divisions, Mohammed maintained that the PDP remains strong and united, praising members for their loyalty during the crisis and expressing confidence in the party’s ability to reposition for future elections.

The competing claims to legitimacy and ongoing legal battles continue to cast uncertainty over the party’s internal cohesion as preparations for the 2027 general elections gather momentum.