The escalating feud between supporters of Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde and former Rivers State Governor Nyesom Wike has worsened the internal divisions in the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), placing the scheduled 99th National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting for May 27 in jeopardy.
In a statement released on Sunday, Wike announced he was withdrawing from all reconciliation efforts, placing blame on Governors Makinde and Peter Mbah of Enugu for deepening the PDP crisis.
Sources within the party’s National Working Committee (NWC) told *The PUNCH* that the growing tensions prompted the PDP Board of Trustees to call an emergency meeting in Abuja on Monday. Concerned about the implications of another delay, the reconciliation team led by ex-Senate President Bukola Saraki also met with key party figures Sunday night to try to salvage the situation.
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The PDP has been dealing with persistent internal strife before and after the 2023 elections. Disputes over the Rivers State political turmoil, South-South Zonal Congress, the status of the National Secretary, and now the North Central Zonal Congress have all contributed to the instability.
Wike, who has the support of governors like Plateau’s Caleb Mutfwang and Taraba’s Ahmadu Fintiri, has expressed frustration with decisions made by the NWC and PDP Governors’ Forum. He claims these decisions, heavily influenced by Governors Makinde, Mbah, and Bauchi’s Bala Mohammed, have marginalized his political base.
Despite various interventions from party organs such as the NWC, Board of Trustees, and NEC, unity remains elusive. Disagreements have disrupted the party’s ability to hold a consistent NEC meeting. The last NEC meeting on April 18, 2024, failed to produce meaningful resolutions, leading to a series of postponements for the 99th session initially set for August 15, then rescheduled multiple times before being indefinitely delayed.
To move forward, the PDP Governors’ Forum, led by Bala Mohammed, tasked the NWC in December 2024 to convene the NEC by February 2025. After further setbacks, the date was finally moved to May 27 following a meeting in Ibadan on April 11. A seven-member committee, headed by Saraki and composed of both current and former governors, was established to resolve remaining disputes.
However, on May 18, *Sunday PUNCH* reported opposition from South East leaders and some governors to reinstating Senator Samuel Anyanwu as National Secretary a key recommendation by the Saraki-led group. In reaction to what he saw as repeated betrayals, Wike officially pulled out of the peace process on Sunday.
In a personally signed statement titled “PDP Crisis: My Position,” Wike accused Governor Makinde of being primarily responsible for the party’s woes. He described the PDP as plagued by distrust and dishonesty among major stakeholders, adding that efforts to instill transparency had been constantly undermined.
Wike revealed that during a G5 meeting in Lagos, he directly challenged Makinde over perceived betrayals. A subsequent meeting at Bukola Saraki’s Abuja residence with Governors Fintiri and Bala Mohammed present produced a set of agreements, including the recognition of Anyanwu as National Secretary (in line with a Supreme Court ruling), withdrawal of all legal disputes in Rivers, and an end to deviations from agreed terms.
But according to Wike, those understandings were quickly violated. He accused Makinde and Mbah of acting in bad faith even before the reconciliation committee began its duties.
Reacting to the latest developments, PDP member Agwanana stated that Wike has long aligned himself with the APC and is actively working toward President Tinubu’s re-election in 2027. He criticized Wike for causing instability in the party, saying, “We’re just waiting for him to leave.”
Similarly, PDP leaders from Bauchi and Anambra condemned Wike’s actions. Bauchi State PDP spokesperson Dayyabu Ciroma accused Wike of deliberately undermining the PDP and predicted his eventual expulsion once the NEC meets. Osita Madu, a former Deputy Publicity Secretary, accused Wike of sabotaging the PDP from within to justify his alignment with the APC, particularly as a minister in Tinubu’s administration.
Madu concluded that Wike’s loyalty to the PDP is questionable, claiming he maintains ties with the ruling party to serve personal and political interests, especially with 2027 in view.
