Makinde-Wike Rift Deepens as PDP Prepares for Crucial Convention

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) is navigating turbulent waters as a fierce rivalry between Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde and Federal Capital Territory Minister Nyesom Wike threatens to overshadow preparations for the party’s August 2025 convention.

Makinde and Wike, once close allies in the G-5 group that challenged Atiku Abubakar’s nomination, have become adversaries in a power struggle that could reshape the PDP’s future. The G-5, including former governors Okezie Ikpeazu, Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, and Samuel Ortom, initially demanded a southern presidential ticket, but Atiku’s victory fractured their unity.

Now, Makinde enjoys the support of Bauchi Governor Bala Mohammed and Enugu Governor Peter Mbah, while Wike is backed by Plateau’s Caleb Muftwang and Adamawa’s Ahmadu Fintiri. The split was highlighted in Ibadan, where Makinde’s faction rejected Senator Samuel Anyanwu’s reinstatement as National Secretary, a move Wike saw as betrayal.

Makinde is working with the party’s national leadership, which has scheduled the 99th National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting for June 30 and the convention for August. Wike, however, is pushing for a postponement to consolidate his influence before the 2027 elections.

Despite Wike’s maneuvers, party leaders insist the convention will proceed as planned. The G-5’s Abuja meeting, excluding Makinde, concluded with a warning that supporting Sunday Ude-Okoye as National Secretary could lead to chaos.

The underlying battle is a struggle for control between Atiku and Wike, both aiming to dominate the party ahead of 2027. Wike’s public support for President Tinubu has fueled calls for the removal of National Chairman Samuel Anyanwu, seen as Wike’s ally.

The Wike-led group declared, “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.” They also reaffirmed Anyanwu as the legitimate National Secretary.

Chief Olabode George, a PDP elder, warned, “Nobody owns this party, no matter who the heck you are. We don’t have any emperors in our party. We will stick with the rules and regulations as stated.”

Former National Secretary Sen Ibrahim Tsauri dismissed the idea of postponing the convention, stating, “Wike and his group may be working to stop the convention while the PDP does not bother much on what it expects to happen.”

Other party leaders, including Eddy Olafeso and Umar Bature, debated the constitutional and legal aspects of the National Secretary’s position, while regional chapters in the South-West and Bauchi emphasized the authority of the national leadership.

Oyo’s PDP chapter dismissed Wike’s Abuja meeting as a mere gathering of “followers and friends,” not recognized by the party. Governor Makinde was reportedly meeting with reconciliation committee chairman Senator Bukola Saraki during the Abuja event.

As the June 30 NEC meeting approaches, the PDP’s unity and future direction remain uncertain, with the outcome likely to shape the party’s prospects in the 2027 elections.