The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) is again grappling with internal divisions following the recent call by the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Mr. Nyesom Wike, and other concerned stakeholders, to zone the party’s 2027 presidential ticket to the South.
Wike, alongside members of the G-5 and other party stalwarts, met in Abuja on Monday to reaffirm Senator Samuel Anyanwu as the party’s National Secretary and advocate for a southern presidential candidate in 2027. This move, however, has stirred mixed reactions from key PDP figures.
Diverging Reactions Among PDP Chieftains
Reacting to the development, National Organising Secretary of the party, Umar Bature, aligned with the Wike-led group, insisting that their position is in tandem with the PDP’s constitution and long-standing zoning tradition.
“What they said in the communiqué — is it different from what the party believes in? I don’t think so,” Bature told Vanguard. “The secretaryship position is clear… and no binding decision was taken at the last NEC meeting to contradict that.”
On the other hand, PDP Board of Trustees member, Mr. Jones Onyereri, backed the call for zoning to the South and condemned the last National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting, stating it was improperly convened.
“According to the party’s constitution, only the National Secretary can issue notices for such meetings,” Onyereri said. “Senator Anyanwu didn’t issue any such notice and even confirmed the meeting was cancelled. The meeting, therefore, lacked legitimacy.”
Caution from Bode George
However, former Deputy National Chairman of the PDP, Chief Olabode George, urged restraint, warning party leaders against airing internal disagreements publicly.
“We do not discuss family matters in the marketplace,” George said. “There is a scheduled NEC meeting on June 30. Everyone should remain calm and wait. If we continue this way, we’ll be exposing our secrets to the enemy.”
PDP Yet to Issue Official Position
PDP National Publicity Secretary, Debo Ologunagba, said the party will issue an official response in due time.
“There’s a process in our party,” Ologunagba noted. “We have a committee in charge of such issues. When the party responds, it will be thorough and in line with laid down procedures.”
Fayose Raises Alarm, Warns Against Party Collapse
Meanwhile, former Ekiti State Governor, Mr. Ayodele Fayose, issued a strong warning, cautioning that the PDP is on the brink of becoming a political “carcass” if internal crises are not urgently addressed.
“I remain loyal to the PDP, but we must act fast,” Fayose said during a visit to President Bola Tinubu. “I’m no longer in the frontline, but I speak the truth: without drastic action, the PDP is headed for serious decline.”
Looking Ahead
The mounting tensions come ahead of the party’s next NEC meeting on June 30, where it is expected that some of these issues — particularly the fate of the National Secretary and the zoning arrangement for 2027 — will be addressed.
As the PDP navigates these internal storms, observers and party faithful alike are keenly watching whether the former ruling party can reconcile its warring factions and forge a united path toward the next general election.
