PDP Crisis Deepens as Governors Reject Wike-Backed Caretaker Committee
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) is embroiled in a deepening political crisis as governors elected on the party's platform have firmly rejected moves by a caretaker committee backed by Minister Nyesom Wike. This development comes at a critical juncture for Nigeria's main opposition party, threatening its organizational stability and electoral prospects ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Governors Challenge Constitutional Authority
Governors Seyi Makinde of Oyo State, Bala Mohammed of Bauchi State, and other PDP governors aligned with the Kabiru Tanimu Turaki-led National Working Committee have declared that the Wike-backed faction lacks constitutional authority to reschedule the party's national convention or dissolve zonal structures. The governors argue that only legitimate party organs possess such powers, creating a fundamental constitutional impasse within the PDP.
The caretaker committee had announced significant changes to party arrangements, including:
- Rescheduling the national convention from March 28 to March 29-30
- Dissolving the Southwest, North-West, and Plateau zonal committees
- Appointing caretaker committees to oversee these zones temporarily
Court Ruling Complicates Leadership Struggle
The Federal High Court in Ibadan delivered a significant blow to the Turaki-led faction by annulling the November 15, 2025 convention that produced Kabiru Tanimu Turaki as chairman. The court order specifically restrained Turaki and other National Working Committee members from acting as national officers of the party, creating a legal vacuum that both factions are attempting to fill.
This judicial intervention has intensified the leadership struggle, with both sides preparing for extended legal battles that could determine the party's direction for years to come.
Factional Standoff and Electoral Commission Stance
Both the governors' bloc and the Wike-aligned faction have sought recognition from the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), but the electoral body has refused to recognize either group. This neutral stance by INEC has effectively frozen the party's official status, creating uncertainty about which faction can legitimately represent the PDP in electoral matters.
The Turaki-led National Working Committee has instructed its legal team to file an appeal against the court ruling, while simultaneously exploring all available legal options to maintain its position. Meanwhile, the Wike-backed faction has welcomed the court's restraining order and vowed to organize a convention that would usher in new party leadership.
Internal Party Dynamics and Staff Loyalties
Party staff at the PDP Secretariat have declared their allegiance to the Turaki-led leadership, arguing that it was validly elected at the Ibadan convention sanctioned by legitimate party organs. They emphasize that Supreme Court judgments have established that issues of membership, leadership, congresses, and conventions of political parties are internal matters beyond judicial jurisdiction.
The staff further note that the party complied with section 84 of the Electoral Act, 2022, by properly notifying INEC about the Ibadan convention, which was conducted with INEC officials present. They cite the Supreme Court ruling in INEC vs SDP & Ors, which reaffirmed that political parties are only required to notify the Commission about their internal processes.
Broader Implications for PDP's Future
This deepening crisis represents more than just internal party disagreements—it threatens the PDP's ability to function as a cohesive opposition force in Nigerian politics. With the 2027 general elections approaching, the party faces mounting pressure to resolve its leadership disputes and present a united front to voters.
The Wike-backed faction has already taken additional steps to consolidate its position, including dissolving the executives of 14 state chapters and announcing plans to hold fresh congresses in January 2026. These moves indicate a determined effort to reshape the party's structure from the ground up, potentially creating parallel party organizations across multiple states.
As both factions prepare for further legal battles and political maneuvering, the PDP's internal crisis shows no signs of immediate resolution. The coming months will be crucial in determining whether Nigeria's main opposition party can overcome its divisions or whether the current turmoil will fundamentally weaken its position in the nation's political landscape.
