Tensions Rise in PDP as Power Struggles Deepen Ahead of Key Meeting
The People’s Democratic Party is heading into stormy waters, with internal rivalries heating up ahead of a major leadership gathering scheduled for May 27 and the national convention coming in August 2025.
At the heart of the tension are three powerful factions, each positioning itself to take the reins of the party. Leading one of these camps is Nyesom Wike, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory and former governor of Rivers State. Wike is reportedly pulling every lever to reestablish his ally, Sam Anyanwu, as National Secretary—a strategic move designed to tighten his grip on the party machinery before the convention.
Sources say Wike’s long game involves placing a loyalist as the next National Chairman. With his influence in the federal cabinet and a close connection to President Bola Tinubu, he’s reportedly winning over some PDP governors to broaden his support base.
Standing in opposition is a camp led by former Senate President Bukola Saraki. Tapped by the PDP Governors’ Forum to steer a reconciliation committee, Saraki is working to ensure that the upcoming NEC meeting doesn’t simply hand power to one individual or group. His team is focused on restoring balance and creating space for voices from all parts of the country.
But complicating the landscape is a third group—a bloc of governors, mostly from the South, who are quietly playing both sides. While some appear to align with Wike in public, they are also keeping their options open behind the scenes. This uncertainty has made it harder for the Saraki group to rally firm support for its mission to stabilize the party.
Many observers believe these governors are driven less by loyalty and more by calculations about their own political futures. Whichever side can offer protection or political advantages may win their allegiance.
Behind the infighting lies unfinished business from the last convention. According to party stalwart Umar Sani, much of today’s friction stems from how key leadership roles were filled to benefit certain interests. He says the fall of former Chairman Iyorchia Ayu has reopened conversations about who should hold which positions—and how those decisions should be made going forward.
Sani noted that there are moves to shift Acting Chairman Umar Damagum back to his previous role, paving the way for a new chairman from the North-Central region, as outlined in the party’s internal rules. That process involves nominating three candidates from that region, from which the NEC will select one to act as chair, pending confirmation at a special gathering ahead of the August convention.
As the date draws closer, many within the party agree on one thing: this moment could define the future direction of the PDP—either setting it back on course or deepening the divisions.
