The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) is currently facing a major internal crisis, marked by the resignation of former Kaduna State Governor and Board of Trustees (BoT) Secretary, Senator Muhammed Makarfi, and escalating confrontations between rival factions. Makarfi’s resignation, effective November 17, 2025, follows the emergence of Kabiru Tanimu Turaki (SAN) as the new National Chairman of the PDP. In his resignation letter to BoT Chairman Senator Adolphus Wabara, Makarfi cited his belief that the National Chairman and BoT Secretary should not hail from the same geopolitical zone. Makarfi, who initially submitted his resignation two months prior but was persuaded to stay, expressed gratitude for the support of Wabara and other BoT members.

The crisis is set to climax on Tuesday, November 18, with two PDP factions planning simultaneous meetings at the National Secretariat, Wadata Plaza, Abuja. One faction, led by Mohammed Abdulrahman, is backed by FCT Minister Nyesom Wike, while the opposing group is supported by Governor Seyi Makinde and led by Dr. Kabiru Turaki, who assumed chairmanship at a recently held convention in Ibadan.

Turaki has asserted his authority, promising to return power to Nigerians and uphold democracy, urging the judiciary to respect stare decisis and prevent actions that could "truncate Nigerian democracy." Ahead of his inaugural National Working Committee (NWC) meeting, Turaki sought police protection, dismissing counter-notices from the Wike-aligned faction as attempts to create confusion. He affirmed that his meeting would commence at 10 AM, emphasizing that his NWC is prepared to defend the party and democratic principles.

Meanwhile, the Wike-aligned faction announced its own emergency BoT and NEC meetings for the same day and venue. Notices from factional National Secretary Sam Anyanwu emphasized the urgency of addressing critical party matters, including disciplinary actions against leaders aligned with the Makinde-Turaki camp. Prominent expulsions at the Ibadan convention include Nyesom Wike, Ayo Fayose, Samuel Anyanwu, and Dan Orbih, while some governors, including Fintiri of Adamawa and Mutfwang of Plateau, later distanced themselves from these decisions.

The internal discord has spread to state chapters, intensifying divisions in Kano, Katsina, and Jigawa. In Kano, PDP Chairman Yusuf Ado Kibiya accused the Wike faction of sowing unrest with external funding and urged court intervention. In Jigawa, party spokesman Umar Kyari declared both factions illegitimate, citing a court order that suspended the convention. From Katsina, PDP Chieftain Ambassador Umar Jibril claimed Wike forfeited his party membership by accepting a federal appointment under the APC government, calling his moves a serious threat to democracy.

With both factions determined to converge at the same national secretariat for separate, high-stakes meetings, the PDP is on the brink of one of its most explosive confrontations in recent history. The struggle for control has extended beyond Abuja, fracturing state chapters and threatening the party’s unity at a critical moment for Nigerian democracy.

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The PDP plunges into crisis as factions clash and key figures resign, with simultaneous meetings at Abuja’s National Secretariat threatening the unity of Nigeria’s main opposition party.