A fierce contest for control of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has erupted, pitting Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde against Federal Capital Territory Minister Nyesom Wike. The two, once united in their opposition to Atiku Abubakar’s candidacy, now represent rival power blocs threatening the party’s stability ahead of its August 2025 convention.
Makinde and Wike, along with former governors Okezie Ikpeazu, Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, and Samuel Ortom, formed the influential G-5, demanding a southern presidential candidate in 2023. However, Atiku’s emergence as flagbearer fractured their alliance and set Makinde and Wike on divergent paths.
Backed by Bauchi Governor Bala Mohammed and Enugu Governor Peter Mbah, Makinde has distanced himself from Wike, who now counts on Plateau’s Caleb Muftwang and Adamawa’s Ahmadu Fintiri for support. The split was laid bare in Ibadan, where PDP governors rejected Senator Samuel Anyanwu’s reinstatement, angering Wike.
Makinde is now closely aligned with the party’s national leadership, which has fixed June 30 for the next National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting and August for the convention. Wike, meanwhile, is lobbying for a postponement to strengthen his grip ahead of the 2027 elections.
Despite Wike’s efforts, PDP insiders confirm the convention will proceed as scheduled. The G-5’s Abuja meeting, minus Makinde, ended with a communique warning that supporting Sunday Ude-Okoye as National Secretary over Anyanwu could destabilize the party.
The underlying conflict is a struggle for dominance between Atiku and Wike, both eyeing the 2027 presidential ticket. Wike’s open support for President Tinubu has intensified calls for the removal of National Chairman Samuel Anyanwu, seen as Wike’s ally.
The Wike group insists, “In the spirit of fairness, inclusion, federal character principles and respect for our party constitution, the party must make an unequivocal announcement, zoning its presidential candidate to the South in the 2027 general election.” They also demand recognition of Anyanwu as the valid National Secretary.
PDP Board of Trustees member Chief Olabode George cautioned, “Nobody owns this party, no matter who the heck you are. We don’t have any emperors in our party. We will stick with the rules and regulations as stated.”
Former National Secretary Sen Ibrahim Tsauri dismissed the possibility of a postponement, saying, “Wike and his group may be working to stop the convention while the PDP does not bother much on what it expects to happen.”
Other party figures, including Eddy Olafeso and Umar Bature, debated the legalities surrounding the National Secretary position, while regional leaders underscored the supremacy of the national organs.
The Oyo PDP chapter dismissed Wike’s Abuja gathering as unofficial, emphasizing that Governor Makinde was engaged with Senator Bukola Saraki at the time. As the NEC meeting approaches, the PDP faces a defining moment in its quest for unity and relevance.