The crisis engulfing Nigeria’s main opposition party, the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), shows no sign of abating, with the faction aligned with former Rivers State Governor Nyesom Wike reportedly preparing to tighten its grip on the party’s leadership. The embattled acting National Chairman, Umar Damagum, has become a flashpoint, with Wike’s allies staunchly backing him against a rising tide of opposition.
Insiders allege that the Wike faction has hatched plans to suspend or expel key opponents, including those loyal to the party’s 2023 presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar. A senior party member, speaking anonymously disclosed that this strategy targets dissenters at all levels of the party, from the wards to the national stage.
The faction’s tactics, the source said, are aimed at consolidating power ahead of the PDP’s National Elective Convention, tentatively planned for 2025.
A Party Divided
Since assuming office in the wake of Senator Iyorchia Ayu’s removal, Damagum has faced fierce criticism and demands for his resignation. Despite calls for reconciliation, the PDP’s internal divisions have deepened, with governors and party stalwarts split over Damagum’s leadership.
Governors Seyi Makinde (Oyo), Ahmadu Fintiri (Adamawa), Caleb Mutfwang (Plateau), and Agbu Kefas (Taraba) are aligned with Wike in defending Damagum. Meanwhile, party heavyweights such as Bala Mohammed (Bauchi), Sim Fubara (Rivers), and Ademola Adeleke (Osun) have voiced their opposition to his continued tenure.
At the core of the dispute lies a broader battle for control of the party, with both camps accusing each other of undermining unity. The Wike faction, according to reports, has set its sights on figures like Ikenga Ugochinyere, a vocal critic and federal lawmaker representing Imo State, as part of a wider purge.
Accusations of Power Grab
The escalating tensions have raised concerns among party elders. Critics of Wike’s faction argue that repeated delays in convening the PDP’s National Executive Committee (NEC) meetings—originally slated for August 2024 but now indefinitely postponed—serve to entrench his influence.
Former Senate President Adolphus Wabara and other senior party figures have called on the National Working Committee (NWC) to convene the NEC by February 2025, urging swift action to resolve the leadership impasse and prepare for the next National Elective Convention.
“Speculations and Aspirations”
Amid the turmoil, some PDP leaders have sought to downplay the crisis. Timothy Osadolor, the party’s Deputy National Youth Leader, dismissed allegations of a targeted campaign against dissenters as “speculative.”
“It’s normal for individuals to pursue their aspirations and ideals,” Osadolor said, insisting that Damagum’s leadership is focused on reconciliation. Similarly, Kola Ologbondiyan, a NEC member from the North Central zone, described the mood as “calm and hopeful” ahead of selecting a substantive National Chairman to replace Ayu.
Constitutional Controversies
The Wike camp’s efforts to expel critics, however, have run afoul of the PDP’s constitution. The party recently nullified the reported expulsion of Ugochinyere by his ward chapter in Imo State, calling it “inconsistent” with established procedures.
Debo Ologunagba, the PDP’s National Publicity Secretary, reiterated that only the NWC has the authority to discipline National Assembly members, describing the Imo chapter’s actions as unconstitutional.
Future at a Crossroads
As the PDP navigates its most significant internal crisis in years, questions remain about its ability to present a unified front in Nigeria’s volatile political landscape. While leaders like Wike and Damagum seek to consolidate power, others within the party warn that such moves could alienate key factions and undermine the party’s broader goals.
Whether through reconciliation or further confrontation, the coming months will prove decisive for the PDP as it attempts to reclaim its status as a cohesive and credible opposition force.
