Fresh turmoil in PDP as Wike camp rolls out primaries plan

The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike-backed Peoples Democratic Party camp declared that the era of uncertainty within the party is over and directed immediate preparations for party primaries in line with Independent National Electoral Commission guidelines.

Leaders of the Wike camp stated this on Monday during the 108th National Executive Committee meeting held at the PDP National Headquarters, Wadata Plaza, Abuja.

The camp’s PDP National Chairman, Abdulrahman Mohammed, stressed the need for discipline, internal reforms, and strict adherence to party structures as part of efforts to reposition the PDP ahead of the next election cycle.

Wike, in his remarks, called for aggressive reconciliation efforts to win back defectors, urging the party leadership to establish a strong committee to engage aggrieved members and reintegrate them into the party.

The Board of Trustees Chairman, Mao Ohuabunwa, also called for unity and discipline among members, urging stakeholders to put aside personal interests and work collectively to strengthen the party’s structure and electoral competitiveness ahead of 2027.

However, the Governors’ camp led by Tanimu Turaki (SAN) dismissed the meeting, describing it as an APC infiltration within the PDP. It added that the gathering lacked legitimacy and warned members against being misled by what it termed disguised opposition elements operating under the party’s structure.

The PDP has been engulfed in a prolonged internal crisis marked by factional divisions. One bloc led by Turaki is supported by Governors Seyi Makinde of Oyo State and Bala Mohammed of Bauchi State, while the opposing group under Mohammed has the backing of the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory.

Both factions have filed multiple court cases that are still pending as they seek legal resolution over control of the party.

In a recent move, a report indicated that Wike’s camp National Secretary, Senator Samuel Anyanwu, filed a Notice of Appeal at the Court of Appeal challenging a Federal Capital Territory High Court judgment that dismissed his suit and upheld his expulsion from the party.

The appeal, dated April 10, 2026, contests the ruling delivered on January 12, 2026, by Justice Yusuf Halilu in suit No. FCT/HC/CV/1050/2025.

Meanwhile, the Turaki-led faction has written to the Independent National Electoral Commission, seeking the derecognition of the Mohammed/Anyanwu faction, including the Wike-backed bloc, further intensifying the legal and political struggle within the party.

Despite this, Mohammed welcomed members to the 108th NEC meeting and commended their loyalty and resilience during a period of leadership uncertainty, saying their commitment helped preserve the party and reposition it for the future.

He also praised security agencies for protecting party assets and maintaining stability during the crisis, describing their intervention as vital to safeguarding democratic institutions.

The Wike bloc chairman stated, “Today, we gather not as a party in distress, but as a strong political institution firmly focused on the future. The Peoples Democratic Party has now successfully navigated its internal challenges, and we are fully aligned with the provisions of the Constitution, the Electoral Act, and all relevant guidelines as issued by the Independent National Electoral Commission.

“The era of uncertainty is behind us. The era of strategy, consolidation, and electoral preparation has begun today. In this regard, we are on the roadmap for our nationwide party primaries.

“Let me essentially say that the PDP is set to conduct transparent, credible, and inclusive party primaries at all levels, in strict compliance with extant laws and democratic best practices.

“We are determined to produce candidates who reflect the will of our members and the aspirations of the Nigerian people.”

He stated that the PDP’s future lies in stability and progress.

Mohammed added, “As we approach the 2027 election, the PDP remains committed to upholding the principles of internal democracy, rule of law, equity, and national dignity.

“We call on all our members to remain focused, united, and committed to the collective interests of the party above all personal interests and ambitions.

Let this NEC meeting mark the beginning of a new chapter defined by resilience, strategy, clarity, and purposeful leadership.”

The BoT Chairman of the camp, Ohuabunwa, urged PDP leaders to work towards strengthening the party and fostering unity, stability, and clear direction.

He stated, “As the Board of Trustees, our role remains clear: to guide, to counsel, and to ensure that the party remains anchored on its founding principles of justice, equity, and fairness.

“At this stage in the life of our party, unity must remain our watchword and our highest priority. The success of our convention must now translate into deeper cohesion. We must consciously and deliberately bridge divides, reconcile differences, and bring every stakeholder into the fold.

“There is no room for exclusion; rather, there should only be room for inclusion, understanding, and collective progress. Our strength has always been our ability to accommodate diverse views while maintaining a common purpose. That strength must not be compromised.

“Distinguished Members, we must also focus on strengthening our internal processes and reinforcing discipline within the party. The supremacy of our Constitution must be upheld at all times. Due process must guide our actions, and institutional integrity must never be sacrificed for expediency.”

He stated that the credibility of the PDP depends on everyone, adding that the party must be one that listens, understands, and delivers institutional reforms.

The BoT chairman added, “I commend the ongoing e-registration process and other innovative efforts of this great party. These initiatives are vital in building a transparent, accountable, and data-driven party structure that is fit for contemporary political engagement.

“The task before us is clear: to consolidate, to strengthen, and to prepare. We must consolidate the gains of this convention. We must strengthen our structures across all levels, and we must prepare with unity of purpose for the challenges and opportunities ahead.”

In his remarks, Wike said the  Mohammed-led National Working Committee’s return to the National Secretariat affirmed the authenticity of its leadership, declaring that any rival faction claiming legitimacy should convene its meeting at the same venue to prove its standing.

Wike also urged the Mohammed-led NWC to intensify efforts to reconcile with members who have defected, stressing that unity and inclusiveness are critical to strengthening the party ahead of future political contests.

He stated, “Let me first of all congratulate Mr Chairman and his team for their emergence at the last concluded National Convention.

“Let us congratulate you that after the inauguration, you took steps to make sure that we reclaimed our secretariat, which is where we are sitting today. What shows that you are the authentic PDP is that you are holding your meeting at the National Secretariat. If there is any other PDP, let them come to the National Secretariat and hold their own meeting.

“Instead of us hiring hotels and other areas, you made sure that we reclaimed our National Secretariat. I thank you and the members of your team.

Let me use this opportunity to also say that all of us, having had the debate, that for whatever happens, we will continue to remain members of the People’s Democratic Party. I know in life there must be a period of crisis. Nobody can say that in his or her family everything has been going on smoothly. No, sometimes it will be rough. It is the ability for you to withstand those challenges.

“I want to commend all of you, the leaders, for being faithful and committed. In fact, despite all the temptation for you to have abandoned your party, you said no, that you would continue to be here. I want to thank all of you. That shows people who are loyal, that shows you want to remain members of this party.”

Wike warned that the party’s leadership should not halt the reconciliation process, noting that broader inclusion would only strengthen the party.

He added, “So, let us not say that those who have defected should be left alone. No. Chairman and your team, make sure you put up a strong committee that will still go ahead and talk to those who have defected. And whatever is due to them, they will still have it. Most of them may have defected because of uncertainty. If, for instance, I want to run an election and I’m not sure who will sign my documents to be presented to INEC, then most people will definitely find where they can get succour. But now, if you go and talk to them, I believe they will have a rethink and continue to support this party.

“On my own part, let me assure you, I will continue to support the party. I will continue to be loyal to the party. Since 1998 till now, I have been a member of the PDP, and I will not leave the party. That is the truth of the matter.

“Let us also assure those of you who have said, believing that the matter is in court. I believe that our lawyers are doing great work, and I want to leave it to our lawyers. We are confident that our lawyers have been doing great work. God, who has led us this far, can never abandon us. So if God wanted to abandon us, we wouldn’t have started winning.

“So, let me plead with the party, particularly the NWC, to show difference, to show difference in what is to happen. Let us be open and transparent. Let people know, indeed, we are serious about correcting some anomalies or mistakes that previous leadership may have made. Nobody is perfect. What will happen is that if people are coming back, people will praise you for indeed doing well at this party. But if people are not coming back, then we are going to ask some questions—what are you doing? So, I want to plead with you: show transparency, show openness, so that we will get whatever we want to get.”

In a communiqué after the NEC meeting and signed by the factional National Publicity Secretary, Haruna Mohammed, the party leadership commended the Mohammed and Anyanwu-led NWC for its dedication and proactive efforts in stabilising the PDP since the March 30 convention.

The NEC also expressed full confidence in the NWC’s capacity to steer the party towards greater unity and electoral success.

The communiqué read in part, “The Party declared that it is not in distress, stating that the era of uncertainty is over. NEC emphasised reconciliation, collective responsibility, and resolving internal issues through dialogue and adherence to Party structures.

“NEC endorsed the ongoing electronic membership registration (e-registration) to modernise the party’s database, enhance transparency, and boost grassroots participation.”

Reacting, the Turaki-led NWC National Publicity Secretary, Ini Ememobong, in an exclusive interview with The PUNCH, described the meeting as a gathering of APC apologists.

He stated, “The meeting, obviously, people have the right to meet under any guise they choose, but it is clear that if you scan through that gathering, you will see a group of APC apologists masquerading as PDP members. That was a branch of Tinubu supporters within the PDP, and their meeting was simply to consolidate the mandate they claim to support.

“The meeting, discussions, and even information should be disregarded. No Nigerian should take them or anything from them seriously. The PDP is an opposition party and will remain so until it becomes the party in government. There are several matters pending in court, yet these individuals continue to gather and make decisions. These are consequential issues that the court will ultimately address.

“Every member of the PDP who understands that the party is in opposition will not fall prey to such actions. These individuals have openly declared support for the President, and anyone found among them is essentially an APC member operating under the guise of the PDP. Anyone committed to the survival and sustenance of the PDP as an opposition party should not align with such activities.”