Makinde, Wike in Tense PDP Showdown as Rival Factions Hold Parallel Meetings Today
Dispute over Anyanwu’s reinstatement, NEC postponement threaten to deepen party crisis
The leadership crisis within the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) reached a dramatic crescendo on Monday as opposing camps loyal to Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde and FCT Minister Nyesom Wike held separate meetings in Abuja, reflecting a deepening power struggle over the party’s future.
At the centre of the controversy is the disputed reinstatement of Senator Samuel Anyanwu as National Secretary and the fate of the party’s 100th National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting, which had originally been fixed for June 30.
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Governor Makinde’s bloc—reportedly supported by Governors Peter Mbah of Enugu, Ademola Adeleke of Osun, and Douye Diri of Bayelsa—is pushing for the NEC meeting to proceed as scheduled, insisting that the decision was constitutionally backed and binding on all party organs.
In contrast, Wike’s allies, which include acting National Chairman Umar Damagum and Governors Bala Mohammed (Bauchi) and Caleb Mutfwang (Plateau), argue that the NEC meeting has been legitimately postponed in favour of an “Expanded National Caucus” session aimed at reconciliation.
Further inflaming tensions, 11 of the 18 members of the PDP’s National Working Committee (NWC) issued a statement on Sunday night affirming the legality of the NEC meeting. They warned that any unilateral move to override NEC resolutions would be unconstitutional and risk plunging the party into further chaos.
Acting Chairman Damagum, however, maintains that his actions were within his purview, insisting that the reinstatement of Anyanwu and the shift to a caucus meeting were necessary steps to restore unity. Invitations to the new caucus session were reportedly extended to select stakeholders only, raising concerns over transparency and internal fairness.
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The crisis has prompted strong warnings from the South East PDP leadership, which has threatened to reconsider the zone’s membership and role in the party if its position on the National Secretary issue continues to be sidelined.
In a sharp reaction, the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) mocked the PDP, describing the latest turmoil as evidence that the opposition party lacks the cohesion and stability required to govern Nigeria.
With both sides mobilising supporters and tensions running high, Monday’s duelling meetings are widely seen as a critical moment in the PDP’s history—one that could determine whether Nigeria’s oldest and largest opposition party can weather yet another storm or slide further into fragmentation