The Peoples Democratic Party faces intensified internal crisis as the Wike faction, several state chapters and court rulings reject the legitimacy of the Ibadan national convention and the expulsion of key party leaders.
The crisis within the Peoples Democratic Party escalated at the weekend as the faction loyal to Federal Capital Territory Minister, Nyesom Wike, rejected the expulsion of its leaders and dismissed Saturday’s national convention in Ibadan as illegal, according to a report from The PUNCH.
The controversy followed conflicting rulings from the Federal High Court in Abuja and the Oyo State High Court. Justice Peter Lifu and Justice James Omotosho had restrained the party and the Independent National Electoral Commission from holding or monitoring the convention, while Justice Ladiran Akintola authorised it to proceed.
During the Ibadan gathering, over 3,000 delegates reportedly elected new national officers and expelled Wike, Ayodele Fayose, Dan Orbih and others. But Wike-aligned leaders, including Acting National Chairman Abdulrahman Mohammed, insisted no valid convention held, describing the expulsions as “laughable” and void.
Four state chapters—Rivers, Akwa Ibom, Jigawa and others—also rejected the convention, praising INEC for boycotting it. They argued the event violated subsisting court orders and breached party rules.
PDP chieftain Bode George, however, maintained that all 36 states were represented and urged Wike to “man up and leave” the party.
The APC mocked the opposition party’s “confusion,” saying the ruling party would not intervene in the PDP’s internal breakdown.
The crisis has raised renewed fears over the PDP’s cohesion ahead of the 2027 elections.