The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) is currently embroiled in a significant internal crisis, with numerous accusations pointing towards Nyesom Wike, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), as a central figure exacerbating the turmoil. The ongoing conflict involves a flurry of blames and counter-blames among party stakeholders, underscoring deep-seated divisions and a pronounced struggle for control within Nigeria's main opposition party.

Nyesom Wike has actively participated in the disputes, recently heaping blame on Governors Seyi Makinde of Oyo State and Peter Mbah of Enugu State for the party's internal problems, singling out Makinde as “the architect of our problems” in the PDP. Furthermore, Wike announced his decision to withdraw from all previously agreed-upon peace agreements, declaring his intention to “fight on until justice is attained,” thereby escalating tensions within the party.

In response, the PDP Frontiers for Change and Progress, a support group within the party, vehemently refuted Wike's assertions. The group’s National Coordinator, Emeka Yellow Ikpegbu, labeled Wike as the "sole architect of the crisis." He accused Wike of acting as an "APC mole in PDP" with the objective of sabotaging the party ahead of the 2027 general election. The group urged Wike to completely depart from the PDP, asserting that his actions are designed to weaken and disunite the opposition. PDP Chieftain Chief Olabode George also voiced strong criticism of Wike, particularly regarding the sealing of the PDP national secretariat, calling the action deliberate and malicious.

A critical escalation in the crisis occurred on Monday, May 26, 2025, when the Wike-led Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) sealed the PDP National Secretariat in Abuja. The stated reason for this action was the party's failure to pay ground rent amounting to ₦7 million, allegedly outstanding for 25 years. Chief Olabode George described this move as “sacrilegious and unacceptable,” pointing out that Wike, whose political career was significantly advanced by the PDP, could have easily settled the debt. The FCTA reportedly also sealed other properties, including the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) office, for similar defaults.

President Bola Tinubu reportedly intervened in the situation, directing a halt to Wike's move to seal the PDP secretariat and simultaneously urging the PDP leadership to promptly settle its outstanding financial obligations. Chief Dele Momodu commended President Tinubu's intervention, characterizing Wike's original action as "vindictive and disruptive." Momodu suggested that Tinubu’s intervention demonstrated that Wike was “under control,” challenging a prior perception that Nigeria effectively had “two Presidents.” He further urged President Tinubu to continue asserting his authority to prevent such political disruptions. The PDP, through its acting National Chairman Umar Iliya Damagum, condemned the sealing, viewing it as an "attempt to gag democracy."

Offering another viewpoint, former Benue State Governor Gabriel Suswam attributed the worsening crisis to the PDP's own leadership. Suswam contended that the party leadership had engaged in "secret agreements" with Nyesom Wike without the consultation or knowledge of major party stakeholders. He argued that the leadership's failure to honor these alleged agreements subsequently fueled Wike's contentious actions. "I don't blame Wike for pulling out of it (the agreement)," Suswam stated, adding, "PDP stakeholders were hoodwinked by the leadership's decision to make a secret agreement with Wike."

The persistent internal strife has ignited serious concerns regarding the future viability and stability of the PDP. Public affairs analyst Mojeed Dahiru starkly assessed the PDP as a "dying party." He attributed its decline to what he termed a "mortal sin" committed in 2023: the decision to field a northern presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, thereby violating the party's established principle of North-South rotation. Dahiru believes this decision directly led to the "Wike problem" and expressed skepticism about the PDP’s ability to survive as a coherent political entity beyond the 2027 general elections. It has also been reported that Wike himself has expressed a preference for President Tinubu of the All Progressives Congress (APC) to win the 2027 election, cautioning the PDP against repeating its alleged mistakes of 2023.

The PDP Frontiers for Change and Progress believe Wike's overarching strategy is to dismantle the PDP and leave it severely weakened before the 2027 elections. They highlighted his purported pattern of confronting party chieftains who resist his directives, referencing past conflicts with PDP Board of Trustees Chairman Senator Adolphus Wabara and current tensions with Governors Mbah and Makinde. The group also issued a cautionary note to President Tinubu and the APC regarding the trustworthiness of Wike, citing his alleged history of betraying political allies and friends.