The crisis within the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) escalated on Sunday, May 25, 2025, as Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister Nyesom Wike withdrew from all prior agreements aimed at resolving the party’s internal conflicts, just a day before the PDP’s 99th National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting scheduled for May 27, 2025. In a statement titled “PDP Crisis: My Position,” Wike accused Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde and Enugu State Governor Peter Mbah of betraying trust and violating agreements, vowing to “fight on until justice is attained.” He highlighted key resolutions, including Senator Samuel Anyanwu’s retention as National Secretary per a Supreme Court ruling, the withdrawal of Rivers State-related legal actions by the National Legal Adviser, and the dismissal of a state of emergency suit, which he claimed were disregarded.
Wike pointed to the Independent National Electoral Commission’s (INEC) boycott of the PDP’s North Central zonal congress in Jos, Plateau State, on May 24, 2025, because the invitation letter was signed by Deputy National Secretary Ude Okoye instead of Anyanwu, the legally recognized signatory. He also criticized Makinde and Mbah for orchestrating actions like rejecting Anyanwu’s signed letter confirming the PDP’s Anambra governorship candidate and pushing for Okoye to act as National Secretary, actions he deemed violations of agreements reached in meetings, including one at Bukola Saraki’s guest house in Abuja involving Makinde, Bauchi Governor Bala Mohammed, Adamawa Governor Umaru Fintri, and himself. Wike expressed frustration, noting his contributions to the PDP since 1998 and support for governors’ elections without personal demands, lamenting the lack of trust among stakeholders.
The PDP distanced itself from Wike’s agreements, with National Financial Secretary Daniel Woyengikuro stating they were personal deals, not party-endorsed, and that the NEC would address the issues. PDP Board of Trustees member Jones Onyereri questioned why agreements brokered by party elders were disregarded, calling it detrimental to the party’s image. Former Senate President Bukola Saraki, whose reconciliation committee was cited, clarified through his aide Yusuf Olaniyonu that he only mediated. The crisis was compounded by the FCT Administration’s listing of the PDP’s Wadata Plaza secretariat among 4,794 properties facing possession from May 26, 2025, for unpaid ground rents spanning 10 to 43 years, a move Wike defended as non-political but which the PDP, through National Publicity Secretary Debo Ologunagba, condemned as an attempt to stifle opposition.
Leave a Reply