PDP in Turmoil as Wike and Prominent Northern Governor Clash Over Party Leadership

The internal crisis within the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has intensified, causing deep divisions within the party’s National Working Committee (NWC).The conflict centers around a power struggle in Rivers State between former governor and current Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, and Bauchi State Governor, Bala Mohammed. Continue Reading >>>

The crisis began following the court-ordered removal of Senator Iyorchia Ayu as National Chairman, with Wike aggressively trying to assert control over the PDP’s structures in Rivers State.Acting National Chairman Umar Damagum has faced growing opposition from within the party, leading to demands for his resignation.

Tensions escalated when the Damagum-led NWC, aligned with Wike, approved controversial congresses in Rivers State and postponed a National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting from September 26 to October 24. This decision deepened the rift between Wike and current Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara, as most PDP governors backed Fubara and called for a review of the congresses.

In retaliation, Wike warned on August 31 that he would disrupt activities in states where governors interfered in Rivers’ affairs. The PDP Governors’ Forum, chaired by Bala Mohammed, condemned Wike’s statement, calling it irresponsible.Wike’s influence took a hit during local government elections on October 5, when 22 out of 23 newly elected chairmen in Rivers were from the Action Peoples Party (APP), diminishing Wike’s control in the state.continue Reading>>>

The conflict reached a new level on October 10, when the NWC, through the party’s National Director of Publicity, Chinwe Nnorom, announced the suspension of National Publicity Secretary Debo Ologunagba and National Legal Adviser Kamaldeen Ajibade (SAN).

The suspensions came after allegations that they opposed Damagum’s leadership and blocked Wike’s efforts to control the party’s structures.In response, the Damagum-led NWC formed a committee, headed by Deputy National Chairman (South) Taofeek Arapaja, to investigate the allegations against Ologunagba and Ajibade.

In a counter-move, Ologunagba’s faction announced the suspension of Damagum and National Secretary Samuel Anyanwu, accusing them of disloyalty and anti-party activities, particularly regarding a court case involving Rivers State lawmakers who defected to the All Progressives Congress (APC).

They appointed National Treasurer Yayari Ahmed Mohammed as the acting National Chairman, further escalating the internal crisis.The PDP Board of Trustees (BoT), led by Senator Adolphus Wabara, has called for calm and urged both sides to de-escalate the conflict. Wabara emphasized the importance of party unity as the PDP looks ahead to future elections.continue Reading>>>

A senior NWC member aligned with Governor Bala Mohammed’s camp revealed that Wike directed his supporters in the NWC, led by Damagum, to suspend Ologunagba and Ajibade for resisting his control over the Rivers State party structures and for opposing his influence at the national level.According to the source, the suspensions were not just about the Rivers issue but also stemmed from Ologunagba and Ajibade’s persistent criticism of how Damagum managed the party’s finances.

The source further explained that the NWC has been internally divided for some time, largely due to the conflict between Wike and Fubara over control of Rivers State’s PDP structure. However, the split became public following the contentious NWC meeting on Thursday.