The internal crisis within the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) deepened on Tuesday as a growing rift emerged over the selection of national leadership. Governors aligned with one faction of the party have distanced themselves from the consensus picks for National Chairman and National Secretary, insisting on pursuing legal remedies and a review of the process.
The current dispute centers on Senator Samuel Anyanwu and Abdulrahman Mohammed, who have been endorsed as consensus candidates for National Secretary and National Chairman, respectively, by the faction backed by the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike. Meanwhile, senior party members loyal to the governors’ camp have expressed their intention to explore all legal avenues to challenge the decisions, citing procedural flaws and breaches of party regulations.
The PDP has been divided into two main factions for nearly a year. The governors’ faction, supported by notable state leaders, previously held a convention in November where key members were elected into the National Working Committee (NWC). In response, the Wike-led faction established a 13-member National Caretaker Committee in December, appointing Mohammed as Acting National Chairman and Anyanwu as Acting National Secretary to manage the party ahead of a substantive convention.
Legal proceedings have been central to the unfolding dispute. The Court of Appeal reviewed consolidated cases arising from the leadership crisis and delivered judgments that nullified the previous Ibadan convention, declaring the election of the governors’ faction officials invalid due to violations of the Electoral Act, the Nigerian Constitution, and the PDP Constitution. Despite this, both factions have continued to hold meetings and pursue strategies to assert their claims over the party leadership.
Recent reconciliation efforts appear to have stalled, with the governors’ camp asserting that the Wike-aligned faction is determined to proceed with a convention, which they consider flawed and illegal. Party insiders indicated that members of the governors’ faction are committed to examining all legal options, including reviewing the party constitution and relevant national laws, to ensure their rights within the party are protected.
Meanwhile, the Wike-backed faction has outlined a consensus-based approach to filling leadership positions across all geopolitical zones. Abdulrahman Mohammed was endorsed as the consensus candidate for National Chairman by the North-Central zone, while Senator Anyanwu retained the National Secretary position for the South-East. The faction also allocated other key positions across the North-West, South-West, North-East, and South-South regions, emphasizing adherence to zonal balance, religious considerations, and performance in acting roles.
Officials from the Wike faction described consensus as the most effective approach to resolving leadership selection, arguing that it minimizes conflict, conserves resources, and ensures broad acceptance among party stakeholders. They maintained that consensus allows for the consent of aspirants and party stakeholders, preventing disputes and fostering a smoother path toward party unity.
However, voices within the party have warned against conducting any further factional conventions, cautioning that such actions could deepen divisions and jeopardize the party’s unity. Former party leaders and key stakeholders have urged all factions to respect existing agreements, avoid tampering with state executive committees, and refrain from exporting national leadership disputes into otherwise stable state structures.
Prominent party figures have repeatedly stressed that reconciliation and internal cohesion remain the only viable path for the PDP to maintain its strength, credibility, and competitiveness ahead of the 2027 general elections. They called on governors, legislators, former governors, ministers, and party executives at all levels to set aside differences, embrace dialogue, and conclude work on a unified leadership structure.
As the party prepares for its national convention, the focus remains on finding a lasting resolution that balances zonal representation, respects the party constitution, and fosters unity. Party leaders have emphasized that a cohesive PDP, capable of reconciling internal disputes, is essential to restoring confidence among members, supporters, and the electorate, ensuring that the party can present a strong, united front in upcoming political contests.
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