Man, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) just can’t catch a break the opposition giant is once again on shaky ground, this time with southern bigwigs butting heads over how to divvy up key positions ahead of their big national convention set for mid-November. It’s like watching a family feud where everyone’s got their own agenda, and the stakes are sky-high with the 2027 elections creeping up.
Back in July, during their 101st National Executive Committee (NEC) huddle, folks agreed on Ibadan as the spot to pick new National Working Committee (NWC) leaders, ditching the current setup under Ambassador Umar Damagum. But peace? Nah, not really. There’s still bad blood over stuff like the national secretary gig, where Samuel Anyanwu (backed by FCT Minister Nyesom Wike) is slugging it out with Sunday Ude-Okoye (supported by Enugu’s Governor Peter Mbah). Wike, that powerhouse ex-governor from Rivers who’s been stirring the pot since the 2022 primaries, even claimed the crisis was done after Atiku Abubakar’s defeat. Spoiler: It’s not.
Now, even with zoning and planning committees in place, Wike’s throwing shade, saying he’s clueless about any Ibadan event. On Tuesday, he was like, “NEC hasn’t met, no date’s set heck, we’re meeting tomorrow.” He flat-out denied knowing about it and hinted at challenging the whole thing legally if his crew isn’t looped in. No parallel convention? He dodged that but vowed no “injustice” would slide. You can feel the tension building it’s all tied to who grabs the reins for 2027.
From what I’ve gathered chatting with insiders, this mess is about power plays: Wike thinks Ibadan gives Oyo’s Governor Seyi Makinde a home-field edge, especially since Makinde’s whispered to be eyeing the presidential nod. Remember those rumors about PDP mulling Goodluck Jonathan, Peter Obi, or Makinde for the top ticket? Yeah, that’s still bubbling. Plus, Damagum’s team (with governors in their corner) is snubbing congress results from Cross River where Wike’s pals won big in the South-South. Whispers of a rival Abuja convention? Totally on the table.
Then there’s this “PDP Southern Zoning Consultative Summit” in Lagos that went down despite Wike’s camp calling it bogus. Heavy hitters showed up: Makinde, Bayelsa’s Douye Diri, Enugu’s deputy gov standing in for Mbah, BOT chair Adolphus Wabara, and vets like Bode George, Olagunsoye Oyinlola, Sam Egwu, Udom Emmanuel the list goes on. They huddled behind closed doors for an hour, hashing out zoning, but Wike loyalists from states like Imo, Abia, Cross River, Akwa Ibom, and Rivers fired off a statement branding it “illegal” and exclusive. They griped about snubs to chairmen, national officers, ex-govs, and even the House minority leader Kingsley Chinda.
Makinde, post-meeting, played it cool with reporters: No spilling beans yet, but he’d pitch the ideas to NEC soon. He brushed off the critics, saying consultations are democracy 101 minority speaks, majority rules. “PDP ain’t dead; look at who’s here governors, elders, all in for the comeback.” He noted Osun’s Ademola Adeleke dipped in briefly, and with 12 of 17 southern states repped, it’s a solid showing. On patching things up? “We’re reaching out; we need a strong PDP first before candidates.”
The real beef? Micro-zoning. Everyone’s cool with chairmanship staying North and presidency South, but slicing the South further (West, South, East) has folks divided. Wike’s side hates it, but they’re outnumbered 12 states vs. the rest. One attendee told me, “We’re fine-tuning till Monday; majority wins.”
Bode George, that old-school deputy chair, didn’t mince words on Wike: “We’ll deal with him this time no more delays like last NEC. Time’s up on those House defectors too; party’s gotta act or look weak.”
Wike’s planned counter-meet? Flopped. Sources say he couldn’t rally the troops Wednesday night key folks ghosted, leaving him fuming. By Thursday, his allies blasted the Lagos gig as non-binding, screaming exclusion and premature ambition-protecting.
In other PDP drama, they’re hauling four Osun lawmakers to court for jumping to APC: Senators Francis Fadahunsi and Olubiyi Fadeyi, plus Reps Omirin Emmanuel Olusanya and Taofeek Abimbola Ajilesoro. Suits filed Wednesday argue they gotta vacate seats per the Constitution no party split means no defection without consequences. Senate Prez, House Speaker, and INEC are dragged in too.
And over in Taraba? PDP’s licking wounds after losing the Karim I by-election to APC last Saturday. Blame game’s on: Insiders point fingers at “anti-party” saboteurs who allegedly sold out for cash or federal perks. One local chieftain said voters expected inducements, but APC played smarter. In key spots like Jen, some PDP folks rebelled against cocky leaders. A ex-senator hinted national-level betrayals mirrored here. Calls for probes and sanctions are loud, but state chair Abubakar Bawa’s crying foul “daylight robbery” and claims his car’s bullet-riddled from an assassination try.
It’s messy, folks PDP’s got to sort this infighting quick if they wanna challenge in 2027. Stay tuned; NEC’s Monday could be fireworks.
Key Twists in PDP’s Southern Zoning Saga:
- Convention Chaos: Ibadan picked for Nov 15-16, but Wike denies it, threatens court over “impunity” and lack of invites.
- Power Struggles: Tied to 2027 control; Makinde’s potential prez run vs. Wike’s grip, plus ignored South-South congresses.
- Lagos Summit Snubs: Attended by govs like Makinde and Diri, but Wike allies call it exclusive and invalid, missing key South-East/South folks.
- Micro-Zoning Divide: Agreement on North chair/South prez, but sub-zoning South regions splits camps Wike’s minority vs. majority push.
- Wike Showdown: Bode George vows decisive action; NWC almost suspended him but backed off expired grace on defectors.
- Failed Counter-Meet: Wike’s rally fizzled due to no-shows, leading to quick disowning of Lagos outcomes.
- Osun Defectors Court Battle: PDP seeks to boot four APC-switchers, citing constitutional seat forfeiture.
- Taraba By-Election Fallout: Loss blamed on internal sabotage and money politics; chair alleges assassination attempt amid “anti-party” probes.
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