PDP in Disarray as Wike and Prominent Northern Governor Clash Over Party Leadership

The internal conflict within the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has intensified, creating factions within the party’s National Working Committee (NWC). At the center of the dispute is a power struggle in Rivers State, involving former Rivers State Governor and current FCT Minister Nyesom Wike and Bauchi State Governor Bala Mohammed.....Read Full Article>>

This crisis began after a court removed Senator Iyorchia Ayu as National Chairman and worsened with Wike’s attempts to control the party structures in Rivers. The acting National Chairman, Umar Damagum, has faced increasing opposition within the party, with some members even calling for his resignation.

Tensions escalated when the Damagum-led NWC, in alignment with Wike, gave the green light for controversial PDP congresses in Rivers State. They also postponed a crucial National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting from September 26 to October 24. This move sparked further conflict, particularly between Wike and the current Rivers Governor, Siminalayi Fubara. Most PDP governors backed Fubara, demanding a review of the congresses.

In response, Wike issued a warning on August 31, threatening to cause unrest in the states of any governor meddling in Rivers’ affairs. The PDP Governors’ Forum, chaired by Bala Mohammed, condemned Wike’s threats, calling them reckless.

Wike’s influence took a hit during local government elections on October 5, where 22 out of 23 newly elected chairmen were from the Action Peoples Party (APP), a blow to his power in Rivers.

The infighting escalated on Friday, October 10, when the NWC, via a statement from the party’s National Director of Publicity, Chinwe Nnorom, announced the suspension of National Publicity Secretary Debo Ologunagba and National Legal Adviser Kamaldeen Ajibade (SAN). They were accused of opposing Damagum’s leadership and trying to block Wike from controlling party structures.

Damagum’s NWC quickly set up a committee, led by Deputy National Chairman (South), Taofeek Arapaja, to investigate the charges against Ologunagba and Ajibade.

In retaliation, Ologunagba’s faction suspended Damagum and National Secretary Samuel Anyanwu, accusing them of disloyalty and anti-party activities, particularly regarding a court case involving Rivers lawmakers who defected to the All Progressives Congress (APC).

In a dramatic twist, Ologunagba’s camp named National Treasurer Yayari Ahmed Mohammed as the acting National Chairman, deepening the party’s internal divide.

The PDP’s Board of Trustees (BoT), led by Senator Adolphus Wabara, called for both factions to calm down and restore unity within the party. Wabara stressed the importance of focusing on unity and progress as the party prepares for future elections.

A senior NWC member aligned with Bala Mohammed revealed to The PUNCH that Wike directed his allies in the NWC, led by Damagum, to suspend Ologunagba and Ajibade for opposing his agenda in Rivers and obstructing his influence within the party.

The source added that Ologunagba and Ajibade’s suspension wasn’t just about Rivers, but also due to their constant criticism of Damagum’s handling of party finances. The source remarked, “The NWC has been split for some time, mainly because of the Wike-Fubara conflict over control in Rivers. But the division became public after the heated NWC meeting on Thursday.”