The crisis within the Peoples Democratic Party intensified on Monday as rival camps loyal to Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, and the Minister of the FCT, Nyesom Wike, scheduled parallel National Executive Committee (NEC) meetings for today (Tuesday) at the party’s national secretariat in Abuja.
Both factions are claiming control of the party following Saturday’s tense national convention in Ibadan, which produced a new National Working Committee (NWC) and expelled several Wike loyalists. Despite their expulsion, Wike’s allies issued a notice summoning an emergency NEC and Board of Trustees (BoT) meeting at Wadata Plaza.
The notice, signed by Senator Samuel Anyanwu, set the BoT meeting for 11 am and the NEC meeting for 2 pm, saying urgent issues would be addressed.
Turaki Alerts Police
Earlier on Monday, the newly elected National Chairman, Tanimu Turaki, visited the police headquarters to report an alleged plan by the Anyanwu group to disrupt today’s activities.
Speaking after the meeting, Turaki said, “The national convention is the highest authority of the party. Those expelled are no longer members. We reported their moves because we don’t want a breach of peace.”
He described any attempt by expelled members to operate from the secretariat as illegal, vowing to lead the new NWC into the headquarters himself.
Shortly after returning from the police headquarters, his NWC released its own invitation for an emergency meeting at the same venue.
Reactions From Both Sides
Recently expelled National Organising Secretary Umar Bature insisted he would attend the Anyanwu-led meeting, dismissing his expulsion as irrelevant.
But PDP elder statesman Chief Bode George described the meeting called by Anyanwu as “illegal,” saying, “He has been expelled. He should go home.”
A member of the Makinde camp, however, argued that Turaki’s leadership lacked legitimacy, claiming only 16 states were represented at the Ibadan convention. The source also accused leading figures—including Wike, Makinde, and George—of anti-party conduct during the 2023 elections.
Makarfi Resigns as BoT Secretary
Amid the power struggle, former Kaduna Governor Senator Ahmed Makarfi resigned as Secretary of the PDP Board of Trustees. In a letter dated November 17, he said it was inappropriate for both the BoT Secretary and National Chairman to come from the North-West.
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He noted that he had attempted to resign earlier but was asked to wait until after the convention.
Legal Tension and Political Fallout
The leadership tussle comes after conflicting court rulings: a Federal High Court in Abuja stopped the Ibadan convention, while an Oyo State High Court permitted it and ordered INEC to monitor the process.
The convention went ahead with top PDP governors—including Fintiri, Muftwang, Bala Mohammed, and Makinde—present, while Wike, Anyanwu, acting Chairman Abdulrahman Mohammed, Ayo Fayose, and Dan Orbih were expelled.
With both factions set to storm Wadata Plaza today for separate meetings, the PDP faces one of its most significant internal battles as the 2027 elections draw closer.
