PDP split deepens over ADC alliance as Wike camp disowns Makinde’s Abuja meeting

Top opposition figures led by Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde met Wednesday with African Democratic Congress leaders, including former Senate President David Mark and ex-Osun Governor Rauf Aregbesola, at Mark’s Abuja residence, in what insiders say was a strategic session aimed at building a unified front to unseat President Bola Tinubu in 2027.

Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, Labour Party’s Peter Obi, factional PDP Chairman Tanimu Turaki, former Governors Rotimi Amaechi, Rabiu Kwankwaso, Aminu Tambuwal, Babangida Aliyu, former Attorney-General Abubakar Malami, and PDP National Secretary Taofeeq Arapaja were among those present at the two-hour closed-door meeting.

Sources within both camps confirmed that the talks covered collaboration terms, power-sharing arrangements, and the choice of a common platform, though a final decision on whether to operate under the PDP, ADC, or another party was deferred pending court outcomes and INEC’s stance on the ADC’s leadership crisis.

Makinde, speaking after the meeting, described it as a solidarity visit. “We came to show solidarity and to commit to a truly democratic space in our country,” he said, declining further comment on alliance specifics.

PDP Spokesman Ini Ememobong framed the gathering as a response to what both parties described as coordinated attacks on Nigeria’s opposition.

However, the rival PDP faction loyal to FCT Minister Nyesom Wike flatly rejected any suggestion of a merger.

In a statement by National Publicity Secretary Jungudo Mohammed, the Abdulrahman Mohammed-led National Working Committee said no such meeting was authorised by the party, adding that any participants acted in their individual capacities.

Earlier in the day, ADC leaders — including Atiku, Obi, and Amaechi — led hundreds of supporters on a march to INEC headquarters in Abuja, demanding formal recognition of the Mark-led NWC and the resignation of INEC Chairman Prof. Joseph Amupitan.

Placards read: ‘Save Democracy,’ ‘Tinubu, Why Are You Afraid?’ and ‘INEC Must Recognise Mark-Led ADC.’

In a protest letter submitted to INEC, signed by Mark and Aregbesola, the party accused Amupitan of constitutional overreach, alleging he had publicly interpreted court judgments in a partisan manner.

The letter demanded his immediate resignation or removal, an apology, and withdrawal of what the party termed “offensive correspondence” — warning that failure to comply would trigger court action and nationwide civic mobilisation.

The ADC’s crisis deepened further Tuesday when a faction aligned with 2023 presidential candidate Dumebi Kachikwu convened a National Executive Committee meeting and unveiled a caretaker committee, splitting the party into three rival factions: the Mark-led coalition bloc, the Nafiu Gombe camp, and the Kachikwu-aligned group headed by Kogi ADC chairman Kingsley Ogga.

INEC had on April 1 delisted Mark and Aregbesola from its records, citing compliance with a court order directing it to maintain the status quo pending a lower court ruling — a move the Mark camp condemned as partisan interference.