The deepening crisis within the Peoples Democratic Party has further widened, as former governors Samuel Ortom (Benue) and Ayo Fayose (Ekiti) have thrown their weight behind the Nyesom Wike-led faction of the party’s National Working Committee.
This development comes as loyalists of Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, and other governors regroup to remobilise support and challenge the Wike camp ahead of the party’s national convention.
In separate statements on Sunday, Ortom and Fayose endorsed the PDP faction led by the National Vice Chairman (North Central), Abdulrahman Mohammed, while blaming the acting National Chairman, Umar Damagum, for the party’s worsening internal crisis.
Despite preparations for its National Elective Convention scheduled for November 15 and 16 in Ibadan, Oyo State, the PDP remains enmeshed in internal wrangling over control of structures, zonal leadership, and convention arrangements.
Wike’s supporters have accused the Damagum-led leadership of bias and incompetence, citing unresolved disputes in the South-South zone and alleged disregard for micro-zoning principles.
Tensions escalated on Friday when the Federal High Court in Abuja granted an interim injunction restraining the party from holding its convention pending compliance with its constitution and the Electoral Act.
Justice James Omotosho ordered the PDP to suspend all convention preparations until further notice, a ruling that has now deepened the division within the party.
On Saturday, the Damagum-led NWC announced the suspension of National Secretary, Senator Samuel Anyanwu; National Legal Adviser, Kamaldeen Ajibade (SAN); Deputy Legal Adviser, Okechukwu Osuoha; and National Organising Secretary, Umar Bature, for alleged anti-party activities.
In a swift response, the rival faction led by Anyanwu counter-suspended Damagum, National Publicity Secretary Debo Ologunagba, Deputy National Chairman (South) Taofeek Arapaja, and others for alleged financial misconduct and incompetence.
Reacting to the crisis, ex-Benue governor, Ortom, blamed poor leadership and exclusionary politics for the PDP’s disarray.
Ortom, a member of the party’s Board of Trustees, said his warnings on the need for inclusiveness and reconciliation were ignored by the leadership.
“Democracy thrives when people of diverse views come together for the common good,” Ortom said. “Unfortunately, a few individuals have attempted to run the party without recourse to collective consultation.”
He described the emergence of Abdulrahman Mohammed as acting National Chairman as “a fresh opportunity to rebuild trust and heal internal wounds,” urging all organs of the party to embrace reconciliation.
Similarly, ex-Ekiti governor, Fayose, backed the suspension of Damagum by the Mohammed-led faction, describing the development as “a necessary step to rescue the party from total collapse.”
Speaking with journalists in Ado Ekiti on Sunday, Fayose said, “The PDP is in a hopeless situation. The Damagum-led NWC are undertakers — they have come to bury the party. But perhaps, Abdulrahman can be the doctor that revives it.”
He accused Damagum of incompetence and arrogance, likening his fate to that of former National Chairman Iyorchia Ayu.
“Damagum will go the way of Ayu,” Fayose said. “He manipulated the process to remain in office and caused widespread confusion. We will support Abdulrahman to reposition the PDP, correct the state chapters, and prepare for the convention.”
Meanwhile, sources close to Governor Makinde told The PUNCH that the Oyo bloc and allied governors are meeting to strategise on how to overturn the court injunction and reclaim control of the party’s direction.
A source said, “We are not folding our hands. We have the majority, and discussions are ongoing on how to appeal the judgment and keep preparations for the convention alive.”
Former presidential candidate, Gbenga Olawepo-Hashim, also condemned the court ruling halting the PDP convention, describing it as “a calculated move to weaken the opposition and weaponise the judiciary.”
He alleged that “both external pressures and internal sabotage are being deployed to stifle the PDP and entrench a one-party regime,” but assured that “true democrats will resist attempts to destroy multiparty democracy in Nigeria.”
In Osun State, Senator Adenigba Fadahunsi, who recently defected from the PDP to the All Progressives Congress, declared that the PDP was “as good as dead.”
Speaking at his Ilase-Ijesa country home, Fadahunsi said, “We didn’t abandon the PDP; the PDP abandoned itself. The party is dead, and those still there should not sink with the ship.”
He, however, lauded President Bola Tinubu’s economic reforms, expressing optimism that they would yield positive results in due course.
