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The escalating rivalry between factions supporting Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde and former Rivers State Governor Nyesom Wike has deepened the crisis within the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), jeopardizing the upcoming 99th National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting set for May 27.
In a statement issued on Sunday, Wike declared his withdrawal from reconciliation efforts, attributing the crisis within the PDP to the actions of Governor Makinde of Oyo State and Enugu State Governor Peter Mbah.
Sources within the PDP National Working Committee stated that in light of the ongoing turmoil and the risks posed to the NEC meeting, the party’s Board of Trustees convened an urgent meeting in Abuja on Monday.
Recognizing the potential negative impact of any delays on the party’s future, the reconciliation committee led by former Senate President Bukola Saraki held an urgent meeting with essential stakeholders Sunday night.
The PDP has been grappling with internal strife both before and after the 2023 elections, with issues like the political crisis in Rivers State, disputes over the South South Zonal Congress, the designation of National Secretary, and now the North Central Zonal Congress compounding the party's instability.
Wike, who has the support of Governors Caleb Mutfwang (Plateau), Ahmadu Fintiri (Taraba), and others, expressed frustration that decisions by the National Working Committee and the PDP Governors’ Forum dominated by Governors Makinde, Mbah, and Bala Mohammed (Bauchi) have undermined the party's political framework.
Despite efforts from critical groups such as the NWC, the Board of Trustees, NEC, and the Governors’ Forum to resolve discrepancies, the attempts have only escalated divisions among states and regions.
This ongoing strife has delayed the NEC meeting and obstructed the party from making vital decisions on its future.
The previous NEC meeting held on April 18, 2024, failed to settle significant issues, further exacerbating disunity. Although the 99th NEC meeting was initially slated for August 15, it experienced multiple delays first to October 24, then November 28—before being postponed indefinitely.
Under growing pressure, the PDP Governors’ Forum, led by Governor Bala Mohammed of Bauchi, instructed the NWC in December 2024 to ensure the NEC convenes by February 2025.
This directive was reiterated in a meeting on January 31 in Asaba, where March 13 emerged as the new date. However, this meeting too was postponed on March 8 to May 15 following further internal discussions.
Eventually, during a governors’ assembly in Ibadan on April 11, a new date of May 27 was confirmed. To facilitate this, a seven-member committee, led by former Senate President Saraki, was established to address outstanding issues.
According to reports influential figures from the South East, spearheaded by Governor Peter Mbah, alongside governors like Seyi Makinde and Bala Mohammed, as well as the PDP Board of Trustees, were opposing the Saraki-led committee’s attempts to reinstate Senator Samuel Anyanwu as the party’s National Secretary.
In response to their disregard for his associates, Wike officially withdrew from all prior agreements intended to resolve the PDP's internal strife.
The former Rivers State Governor identified repeated breaches as the reason for his withdrawal, placing the blame on Governor Makinde as the “chief culprit” behind the party’s troubles. In a statement titled “PDP Crisis: My Position,” Wike lamented that the PDP has been afflicted by “dishonesty and lack of trust among its key stakeholders,” pledging to “continue fighting until justice is served.”
He criticized the party's trajectory since the 2023 General Election, attributing its erratic behavior to pervasive dishonesty and distrust.
Wike recounted how he confronted Governor Makinde about what he perceived as a betrayal of trust during a G5 meeting in Lagos and noted an expanded meeting that took place at Bukola Saraki’s Abuja residence, attended by Governors Umaru Fintiri, Bala Mohammed, where resolutions were made.
These included keeping Senator Samuel Anyanwu as National Secretary, aligning with the Supreme Court’s judgment, withdrawing all legal matters related to Rivers State by the National Legal Adviser, and ensuring adherence to the resolutions made.
However, Wike expressed disappointment that these agreements were soon disregarded.
He emphasized that even before the Saraki Reconciliation Committee began its work, the commitments made at Saraki’s residence were already being blatantly violated.
He specifically accused Makinde of colluding with Governor Mbah to undermine the previously agreed-upon strategies, claiming Makinde orchestrated a meeting of so-called South-East leaders to declare that if Ude Okoye was not accepted as secretary, they would withdraw from the PDP.
Wike further alleged that Makinde influenced individuals in the National Secretariat to have the Deputy National Secretary act as National Secretary, which went against the earlier established agreements.
He stated this action caused disorder among the party's leadership and affected official communications, such as a formally signed letter by the National Secretary and Acting National Chairman concerning a gubernatorial candidate in Anambra, which was undermined by a refutation purportedly ordered by Makinde and Mbah.
He highlighted an incident on May 24, 2025, in Jos, where a widely publicized zonal elective congress of the PDP was canceled due to the invitation sent to INEC being signed by the Deputy National Secretary instead of the legally recognized Senator Samuel Anyanwu.
Wike described the situation as “undeniably distasteful, provocative, and irritating,” asserting that his dedication to the party since 1998 has remained steadfast, in contrast to those he alleges are “playing games to the detriment of the party.”
“I have now firmly decided to withdraw from all agreements reached thus far. My determination to fight for justice remains,” he concluded.
Efforts by reporters to elicit responses from Governors Makinde and Mbah regarding Wike’s allegations were unsuccessful, as their Chief Press Secretaries declined to comment.
In response to the renewed friction, former Senate President Bukola Saraki expressed a willingness to persuade the Federal Capital Territory Minister to re-enter the negotiation process, stating that Wike’s withdrawal from the arrangement does not signify a setback but rather highlights the need for further work and intensified efforts.
Saraki emphasized that mediators must avoid reacting to every arising conflict to prevent misinterpretations among involved parties.
He also cautioned that stakeholders within the PDP and the larger Nigerian populace could not afford to let the opposition fade, cautioning that this would lead to a one-party state.
He reminded that the PDP is the last significant legacy party remaining, as the AD and APP parties have dissolved. Saraki stressed that allowing the PDP to perish would constitute a serious blow to democracy.
A source within the NWC, who wished to remain anonymous due to lack of authority to comment, revealed that the Saraki-led panel convened emergency meetings late Sunday night to reconcile leaders and explore ways for the NEC meeting to proceed without worsening the crisis. As of now, with the latest updates, it is uncertain whether the NEC meeting scheduled for Tuesday will take place. The Saraki-led panel was expected to meet with key party leaders that night.
Those anticipated to attend the meeting, either in person or virtually, include Governors Seyi Makinde, Peter Mbah, Caleb Mutfwang, PDP Acting National Chairman Umar Damagum, National Legal Adviser Kamaldeen Ajibade, and others. The meeting is critical, as it will determine whether the NEC meeting will move forward, how peaceful it will be if it does, and ultimately, the future of the PDP.
Another credible source stressed that Wike’s faction is adamant about obstructing the NEC meeting, while Makinde’s faction is equally determined to proceed with the meeting to legitimate their actions and proposals. A source disclosed that the PDP Board of Trustees was scheduled to gather in Abuja on Monday to address the ongoing party crisis.
He indicated that Wike’s faction would make every effort to block the NEC meeting, suggesting the possibility of a legal injunction to prevent it.
Meanwhile, Makinde and other governors are working hard to ensure that the NEC meeting can occur without interruptions.
The Board of Trustees is gearing up to meet on Monday, marking the next few days as crucial for the PDP’s future. A meeting notification, signed by the PDP’s National Director of Publicity Chinwe Nnorom confirmed the Board of Trustees meeting slated for May 26, 2025, at 3:00 PM in the NEC Hall at the PDP National Headquarters.
Opinions within PDP state chapters regarding the internal turmoil are diverse. Ekiti State PDP Caretaker Committee Chairman, Dare Adeleke, remarked that Wike’s behavior and declarations indicate he is working against the interests of the party, suggesting a hidden agenda.
Adeleke condemned Wike's actions as detrimental to democracy, claiming it is unacceptable for someone who has benefitted from the PDP to now advocate for its downfall.
Similarly, Ogun State PDP Secretary, Sunday Solarin, characterized Wike as a disengaged party member and expressed that he is free to exit the party.
He questioned Wike's contributions to opposing the APC government over the past two years, accusing him of merely creating unnecessary distractions.
Solarin opined that Wike seems to be seeking a reason to align with the APC, emphasizing that the PDP will overcome its challenges regardless of Wike's actions.
Gombe PDP Chairman, Mamman Kwaskebe, asserted that the party is unfazed by Wike’s maneuvers, equating his decisions to work with the APC. He stressed that the PDP will remain loyal to its commitments despite any actions taken by Wike.
Similarly, Bayelsa State PDP Chairman Solomon Agwanana commented on the anticipated withdrawal of Wike from the party, alleging he has been collaborating with the APC and expressing impatience for Wike to depart.
Furthermore, the PDP Sokoto State chapter spokesperson, Hassan Sahabi Sanyinnawal, refrained from commenting on Wike’s departure, noting that decisions were made at the national level.
On the other hand, Bauchi State PDP Publicity Secretary, Dayyabu Ciroma, indicated that Wike’s time within the party is dwindling, suggesting that he is intent on harming the PDP's stability.
Chief Osita Madu, former Deputy Publicity Secretary and a senior PDP figure in Anambra State, accused Wike of actively working to weaken the PDP in order to justify his ties with the APC.
He urged Wike to declare either his resignation or defection from the party and cease his duplicity, asserting that Wike is the core of the PDP’s issues.
Madu questioned how Wike could claim allegiance to the PDP while being part of the APC-led government.
