PDP crisis intensifies as governors reject Wike-backed caretaker committee, reaffirm Turaki-led NWC authority ahead of party national convention

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) plunged deeper into internal crisis on Tuesday as governors elected on the party’s platform rejected moves by a Nyesom Wike-backed caretaker committee to reschedule the party’s national convention and dissolve key zonal structures.

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The caretaker committee, supported by the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Wike, had announced a new convention date, moving it from March 28 to March 29–30, while dissolving the Southwest, North-West, and Plateau zonal committees.

The committee’s Publicity Secretary, Jungudo Mohammed, confirmed the decisions after a National Working Committee meeting in Abuja.

However, governors including Oyo State’s Seyi Makinde and Bauchi State’s Bala Mohammed asserted that the Wike-aligned faction lacked constitutional authority to take such actions, reiterating support for the Kabiru Tanimu Turaki-led National Working Committee (NWC).

Turaki’s spokesperson, Ini Ememobong, dismissed the caretaker committee’s actions as “self-deception” and reaffirmed that no convention or zonal dissolutions had taken place.

The dispute follows a Federal High Court ruling in Ibadan last Friday that annulled the PDP National Convention held on November 15, 2025, which elected Turaki and his team.

The ruling also restrained Turaki from acting as national officers. Despite this, the Turaki-led faction has filed an appeal and vowed to exhaust all legal options.

In response, the Wike-backed committee insisted it would proceed with the convention and restructure zonal committees, promising inclusiveness and consultation with all party members.

Acting factional Chairman Abdulrahman Mohammed affirmed the committee’s commitment to an all-inclusive convention and adherence to PDP’s constitution.

Meanwhile, PDP management and staff issued a statement reaffirming loyalty to the Turaki-led NWC, asserting that the courts lacked jurisdiction over the party’s internal affairs.

The statement cited Supreme Court precedents emphasising that leadership and convention matters fall solely under party control.

Governor Seyi Makinde, speaking at the commissioning of the Oyo State PDP Secretariat, expressed confidence in the judiciary and condemned attempts to hijack the party.

He described previous disruptions as the result of “unruly elements” that emerged after the PDP lost federal power in 2015. Makinde also formally handed over the title deed of the new secretariat to the party leadership.

Wike, through his media aide Lere Olayinka, criticised Makinde as inconsistent and politically “inconsistent,” warning that he could revert to prior behaviour.

Rivers PDP chieftain Chimenem Wodi defended Wike, highlighting his political influence across Rivers State and asserting that the PDP would have weakened without his leadership.

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The crisis comes as the PDP navigates post-election disputes and prepares for its next national convention, amid conflicting claims of authority between the Turaki-led NWC and Wike-backed caretaker faction.