The ongoing rift within the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has prompted urgent interventions from key stakeholders, including members of the National Working Committee (NWC) and the National Executive Committee (NEC). The dispute between the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, and the Governor of Bauchi State, Bala Mohammed, has sparked concerns about the party’s unity ahead of the 2027 elections.
While some party leaders have urged both politicians to reconcile and work towards strengthening the party, others believe the disagreement is a personal matter that will not affect the PDP’s prospects in the upcoming elections.
The feud escalated last week when Wike, through his media aide Lere Olayinka, criticized Governor Mohammed for opposing the tax reform bills transmitted to the National Assembly in late 2024. In response, the Bauchi governor labeled Wike a “transactional politician” known for betraying his benefactors.
During Wednesday’s Board of Trustees (BoT) meeting in Abuja, PDP’s acting National Chairman, Umar Damagum, and BoT Chairman, Adolphus Wabara, voiced their disappointment over the various crises rocking the party. They called on all aggrieved members to prioritize the party’s collective interests.
Stakeholders Weigh in on the Dispute
The National Organizing Secretary of the party, Umar Bature, dismissed fears that the feud between Wike and Bala could destabilize the PDP. He described it as a personal conflict with no direct implications for the party’s overall stability.
Similarly, Timothy Osadolor, a member of the party’s National Executive Council and Deputy National Youth Leader, accused the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) of exacerbating internal divisions within the PDP. He argued that the APC is fixated on undermining the opposition, given its fear of potential defeat in 2027.
Osadolor urged Wike and Mohammed to set aside their differences and focus on rebuilding the PDP for the greater good of Nigerians. “No other party outside the PDP stands a real chance of defeating the APC in 2027, which is why the ruling party is interested in fueling internal divisions,” he said. “As senior members of the PDP, Wike and Bala must realize that their public altercations are not in the best interest of the party or the younger generation looking up to them. They should resolve their issues and focus on strengthening the PDP.”
El-Rufai’s Comments on PDP’s Future
The conversation around PDP’s unity took another turn when former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, suggested that the opposition must unite to challenge the APC in 2027. Responding to El-Rufai’s remarks, Osadolor welcomed the idea and hinted that the former governor could return to the PDP, the party that first gave him national prominence.
“El-Rufai’s comments are encouraging. He knows that the PDP offered him his first real political platform, and if he wishes to return, the doors are open. The party needs credible individuals to help rebuild not just the PDP, but the nation,” Osadolor added.
Differing Opinions on PDP’s Internal Crisis
Not all stakeholders agree that external forces are responsible for the PDP’s internal strife. Diran Odeyemi, a PDP NEC member, argued that the party’s problems stem from internal indiscipline rather than APC’s interference. He criticized PDP’s failure to enforce disciplinary measures against members who violated party policies in the past.
“Blaming the APC for our internal crisis is an excuse. The reality is that we have been too lenient in addressing indiscipline within our ranks,” Odeyemi stated. “No individual should be bigger than the party. To resolve these issues, we must be willing to enforce sanctions against those engaging in anti-party activities.”
As the PDP grapples with these challenges, opposition governors are set to meet in Asaba to deliberate on the party’s future. Key discussions are expected to center on leadership restructuring, party cohesion, and strategies for the 2027 elections.
With calls for unity growing louder, political analysts believe that how the PDP resolves its internal conflicts in the coming months will determine its chances of reclaiming power in 2027.
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