2027 PDP Convention Under Threat as Wike-Makinde Rift Deepens

Fresh tension is brewing in the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) ahead of its national convention scheduled for November in Ibadan, Oyo State, as Federal Capital Territory Minister, Nyesom Wike, has openly opposed the exercise.

The former Rivers State governor’s resistance is linked to his fallout with Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, and other unresolved disputes within the party.

Speaking during a live interview on Politics Today on Tuesday, Wike warned that the convention could plunge the PDP into another round of crisis if what he described as “injustices” in the party were not addressed. He specifically faulted the recognition of Ali Odefa as South-East Zonal Chairman and insisted that Dan Orbih, who emerged from a Calabar congress, remained the authentic South-South Vice Chairman.

“If the party refuses to correct these anomalies, then let’s be ready for another crisis. I am not part of any convention until these issues are resolved,” Wike said.

His stance has sparked pushback from party leaders. PDP National Publicity Secretary, Debo Ologunagba, dismissed Wike’s claims, stressing that preparations for the convention were in full swing. He maintained that the exercise, slated for November 15 and 16 in Ibadan, had the full backing of the National Executive Committee (NEC) and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

“We follow due process. NEC approved Ibadan as the venue, and INEC has been notified. All relevant stakeholders, including Wike, were duly informed. There will be zero tolerance for disloyalty,” Ologunagba stated.

Other NEC members, including Deputy National Youth Leader Timothy Osadolor and former South-West Vice Chairman Eddy Olafeso, also accused Wike of overreaching, vowing that no individual could derail the party’s rebuilding process.

The PDP, still reeling from high-profile defections to the ruling APC and the African Democratic Congress—including former presidential candidate Atiku Abubakar and ex-Delta State Governor Ifeanyi Okowa—is banking on the Ibadan convention to elect 19 new members of its National Working Committee and reposition itself ahead of future elections.

Meanwhile, sources close to Wike revealed that his camp, which includes former governors and top party chieftains, is preparing a strategy session to decide its next steps, raising fears that the party could once again be plunged into internal turmoil just months after stabilizing from its last major crisis.