A significant power struggle within the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has intensified, marked by conflicting moves from two prominent factions. The faction loyal to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, through its factional chairman Abdulrahman Mohammed, has initiated an emergency meeting of the party’s National Executive Committee (NEC) and Board of Trustees (BoT) scheduled for Tuesday.

According to a notice shared by Lere Olayinka, spokesperson for the FCT Minister, on Monday via X, these crucial meetings are slated to take place at the PDP’s national secretariat, Wadata Plaza, Abuja. The notice, officially signed by Samuel Anyanwu, a close associate of Minister Wike, scheduled the BoT meeting for 11:00 a.m. and the NEC meeting for 2:00 p.m. The Wike-aligned faction underscored the mandatory nature of attendance, stressing that “crucial matters” would be deliberated during what marks the party’s 103rd emergency NEC gathering.

This development unfolds just days after a rival faction of the PDP, led by Umar Damagum, successfully convened a national convention in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital. This convention resulted in the expulsion of several high-profile figures, including Nyesom Wike, former Ekiti State governor Ayodele Fayose, and Samuel Anyanwu, on allegations of anti-party activities. Other expelled officers included Umar Bature, Kamaldeen Ajibade, Mao Ohabunwa, Uwachukwu, George Turner, Dan Orbih, Abdulrahman, Austin Nwachukwu, and Abraham Amah.

The Ibadan elective national convention saw the participation of several PDP governors, including Bala Mohammed of Bauchi, Ahmadu Fintiri of Adamawa, Dauda Lawal of Zamfara, Caleb Mutfwang of Plateau, and Seyi Makinde of Oyo. Notable non-governor attendees included Ladi Adebutu, Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, former Niger State Governor Babangida Aliyu, former Minister Kabiru Turaki, ex-Governor Ibrahim Shekarau, BoT Chairman Adolphus Wabara, and BoT member Bode George. However, Osun State Governor Senator Ademola Adeleke and his Taraba State counterpart, Agbu Kefas, were conspicuously absent. Despite attending, Governors Mutfwang and Fintiri publicly distanced themselves from the decision to expel Wike, signalling ongoing internal disagreements even among those present at the convention.

Reacting to the Ibadan convention, Lere Olayinka issued a statement dismissing the event, accusing participants of attempting to “start dirty December in November,” and insisting that any resolutions reached were ultimately inconsequential. Furthermore, the Wike-aligned faction had previously attempted to legally halt the Ibadan convention by seeking a court injunction, but the rival group secured a ruling from an Oyo High Court permitting the exercise to proceed, further deepening the party’s widening factional divide.