PDP in Turmoil: Makinde-Wike Rift Deepens as 2027 Power Struggle Engulfs Opposition Party
The internal crisis threatening the soul of Nigeria’s leading opposition party, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), has taken a more dramatic and potentially destructive turn. The once-formidable alliance between Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde and Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has disintegrated into a fierce political contest. Once comrades united in rebellion against their party’s presidential nominee, the two heavyweights have now turned on each other, each vying for control of the party’s future direction.
Their feud, according to high-level insiders within the PDP, has gone beyond mere disagreements and now reflects a broader power tussle—one with far-reaching consequences for the party’s survival, unity, and performance in the 2027 general election.
Once United, Now Divided
In 2023, Makinde and Wike stood shoulder-to-shoulder as members of the now-infamous G-5 governors—an alliance that included former governors Okezie Ikpeazu of Abia, Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi of Enugu, and Samuel Ortom of Benue. The G-5 vehemently opposed the emergence of Atiku Abubakar as the PDP’s presidential candidate, insisting that the ticket should rotate to the South in line with principles of equity and federal character. When the party chose Atiku, a northerner, the G-5 revolted.
In a stunning move, the bloc indirectly aided the victory of President Bola Tinubu of the All Progressives Congress (APC), publicly distancing themselves from the PDP’s campaign machinery. This alliance played a significant role in weakening the PDP’s electoral chances, particularly in Southern states.
But the once-united group has since fractured. Seyi Makinde, backed by Bauchi State Governor Bala Mohammed and Enugu’s Peter Mbah, has distanced himself from Wike’s faction. On the other hand, Wike enjoys strong support from Governors Caleb Mutfwang of Plateau and Ahmadu Fintiri of Adamawa.
Ibadan Meeting: The Breaking Point
The conflict came to a head during a tense PDP governors’ meeting held in Ibadan, the capital of Oyo State. The point of contention? The proposed reinstatement of Senator Samuel Anyanwu as PDP’s National Secretary. Anyanwu, a key Wike ally, had been ousted by the party’s National Working Committee (NWC) and replaced in an acting capacity by Sunday Ude-Okoye.
Wike viewed Makinde’s opposition to Anyanwu’s reinstatement as an outright betrayal. The G-5, minus Makinde, subsequently regrouped in Abuja to lay out Wike’s terms for peace. Their conditions included the zoning of the 2027 presidential ticket to the South and recognition of Anyanwu as the only legitimate National Secretary.
Convention Battle Looms
The PDP has scheduled its 99th National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting for June 30, 2025, with its national convention slated for August of the same year. Wike’s faction has been lobbying vigorously for the postponement of the convention, fearing that the existing power structure may not favor their interests heading into 2027.
Despite Wike’s maneuvers, party insiders told YEPS that the convention will proceed as scheduled. PDP leaders say the plan remains intact and unaffected by Wike’s press conference and public declarations.
Wike and three other members of the original G-5—Ortom, Ikpeazu, and Ugwuanyi—met in Abuja and issued a communique. In it, they declared that Sunday Ude-Okoye’s selection as National Secretary was a mistake that would destabilize the party.
The communique added:
“In the spirit of fairness, inclusion, federal character principles and respect for our party constitution, the party must make an unequivocal announcement, zoning its presidential candidate to the South in the 2027 general election.
We also reaffirm Senator Sam Anyanwu as the duly elected and substantive National Secretary. Any correspondence, notice, or action taken without his authorization is null and void.”
Party Elders Push Back
Reacting strongly to Wike’s growing influence and defiance, a senior PDP statesman and member of the Board of Trustees, Chief Olabode George, issued a stern warning to the former Rivers Governor.
George emphasized that no single individual could hijack the PDP, regardless of their popularity or resources.
“As an elder, I am a custodian of the rules and regulations of our party. I want to advise Wike and his group to respect internal processes,” he told YEPS. “Only the NEC has the authority to decide on such matters. Let them present their views at the June 30 meeting if they genuinely care about the party.”
He went further: “Nobody owns this party. We are not a monarchy or a dictatorship. Let the will of the majority prevail.”
Wike’s Calculated Defiance
Behind Wike’s assertive stance lies a well-calculated political strategy. Since assuming his role in Tinubu’s cabinet, he has publicly pledged to support the president’s re-election in 2027—an unusual move for a high-profile PDP member.
Political observers believe Wike’s goal is twofold: weaken the PDP enough to minimize any threat to Tinubu’s second-term bid while simultaneously preserving his own influence within the party. By pressing for Anyanwu’s reinstatement and a convention delay, Wike is attempting to buy time and shift internal power structures in his favor.
Tsauri: Wike Has Done His Worst
Another Board of Trustees member and former PDP National Secretary, Senator Ibrahim Tsauri, offered a scathing assessment of Wike’s current activities.
“Wike may be planning to derail the national convention, but his worst offense remains his open support for Tinubu,” Tsauri told YEPS. “No one in the PDP should expect anything different from him. It’s no longer surprising.”
Tsauri argued that the party still has significant internal strength, including the support of 10 sitting governors. “Wike’s threats are not enough to destabilize the PDP,” he said. “He may still claim to be in the party, but by every moral and political standard, he’s no longer one of us.”
He lamented the failure of the party’s leadership to sanction Wike, stating, “The PDP constitution already provides mechanisms for disciplinary action, including expulsion. The fact that it hasn’t been applied shows a lack of resolve.”
Cracks Within the Structure
Former PDP South-West Vice Chairman, Eddy Olafeso, dismissed Wike’s legal interpretation of the Supreme Court ruling on the National Secretary issue.
“I don’t know where Wike is getting his reading of the Constitution or the Supreme Court judgment,” Olafeso told YEPS. “The National Working Committee has already decided on the Acting Secretary. We have internal processes. If Wike disagrees, there are proper channels.”
Backing this view, PDP National Organising Secretary, Captain Umar Bature (retd.), stated that the insistence on Anyanwu is grounded in legal precedence. “The Supreme Court judgment supports his reinstatement,” Bature affirmed.
However, opposition within the party remains strong. PDP South-West Vice Chairman, Kamoru Ajisafe, rejected the legitimacy of the communique issued by the Wike-led faction in Abuja.
Ajisafe said the NWC remains the highest working body of the party and has not reversed its decision on the National Secretary.
“What Wike did was irregular. We have processes in place,” he said. “The Acting National Secretary remains in charge. Anything outside NEC procedures cannot be binding.”
Bauchi, Oyo PDP Chapters Speak
The PDP chapter in Bauchi State also weighed in on the growing rift. Dayyabu Ciroma, the state’s Publicity Secretary, told YEPS that any decision regarding a convention shift lies with the national leadership, not with individual governors or ministers.
“We trust the national leadership to respond appropriately,” Ciroma stated. “States have no role in this matter. It belongs solely to the NWC, BoT, and South-East PDP stakeholders.”
Meanwhile, the Oyo State PDP has distanced itself from the Abuja meeting organized by Wike. The party’s Publicity Secretary, Micheal Ogunsina, described the event as a private gathering of Wike’s friends, not an official PDP affair.
“That was not a PDP meeting. It was Wike and his committee of followers discussing personal matters,” Ogunsina told YEPS. “Governor Makinde, for instance, was hosting Senator Bukola Saraki during that same period. That shows where his priorities lie—on reconciliation and party development.”
The Stakes for 2027
At the heart of this crisis lies the high-stakes battle for the PDP’s 2027 presidential ticket. Atiku Abubakar, though yet to declare, is widely expected to contest once again. Wike’s opposition to Atiku’s ambition remains resolute, driven by lingering animosities and a strategic interest in keeping the party divided.
The PDP’s internal wrangling, if unresolved, could once again cost it dearly. In 2023, division within the ranks contributed to its defeat. If Wike’s faction continues to push against the tide, and if the national leadership fails to assert authority, the party could find itself even weaker in 2027.
A Party at the Crossroads
The ongoing crisis within the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) represents both a serious threat and a unique opportunity. On one hand, it exposes deep cracks in the party’s internal unity, revealing just how vulnerable its structure has become. On the other hand, it presents a chance for the PDP to pause, reflect, and chart a new course that promotes true reconciliation, transparency, and institutional reform.
As the party prepares for its crucial National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting scheduled for June 30, attention is intensifying. Party members, stakeholders, and millions of Nigerians are watching closely to see how the leadership will respond. This gathering could define the PDP’s direction ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The questions are clear: Will the party rise above internal divisions to reestablish discipline and restore public confidence? Or will it succumb to personal power struggles that continue to weaken its foundations?
The PDP stands at a defining crossroads. Its response to this crisis could either rekindle hope among its supporters or drive the party further into disarray. For a party once seen as Nigeria’s dominant political force, the road it chooses now will shape its relevance in the years ahead.
One thing is certain—the battle for the soul of the PDP is far from over. The stakes have never been higher.