The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) remains embroiled in internal turmoil as the faction loyal to FCT Minister Nyesom Wike rejected the expulsion of key leaders during the party’s National Convention in Ibadan, Oyo State. The move has intensified the ongoing struggle for control within the party.
Reports indicate that the purported expulsion of Wike, former Governors Ayodele Fayose, and other prominent figures did not have the support of four state chapters, seen as a direct challenge to Governor Seyi Makinde’s influence.
Over 2,000 delegates gathered in Ibadan on Saturday to elect new party leaders, despite conflicting court orders. The Federal High Court in Abuja had on Friday ordered the PDP to suspend the convention, restraining INEC from monitoring it, following a suit by former Jigawa State Governor Sule Lamido.
Justice Peter Lifu ruled that Lamido was unjustly denied a nomination form to contest for PDP National Chairman and directed that the convention be put on hold to allow him to campaign, saying, “An order is hereby made that before any convention is held, the PDP is to make nomination forms available to the plaintiff,” Justice Lifu declared on Tuesday, November 11, 2025.
However, a conflicting order from the Oyo State High Court allowed the convention to proceed, with INEC instructed to monitor the election. The contradictory rulings have split the party into two factions: one loyal to Wike and another backed by PDP governors.
During the Ibadan convention, following a motion by former Board of Trustees Chairman Chief Bode George, the party expelled Wike, Fayose, ex-National Vice Chairman Dan Orbih, and others.
One of the expelled leaders and Acting National Chairman, Abdulrahman Mohammed, dismissed the action as illegitimate, reaffirming his commitment to lead the party alongside Wike’s faction, which had earlier suspended former National Chairman Umar Damagum and the entire National Working Committee.
The Wike faction has vowed to continue asserting its authority within the PDP, signaling that the battle for control of the main opposition party is far from over.
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