PDP leadership crisis deepens as factions suspend key officials, Wike, Fubara conflict in focus

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) faces escalating internal divisions as the conflict between Minister of the Federal Capital Territory Nyesom Wike and Bauchi State Governor Bala Mohammed intensifies.

The dispute has splintered the party’s National Working Committee (NWC), threatening to deepen the factional divide.

Since Umar Damagum assumed the role of acting National Chairman following Iyorchia Ayu’s removal, internal tensions have mounted, with many calling for Damagum’s resignation.

The situation worsened after Damagum, alongside other NWC members aligned with Wike, approved contentious PDP congresses in Rivers State and postponed the National Executive Committee meeting from September 26 to October 24.

At the heart of the crisis is the ongoing power struggle between Wike and Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara. On August 24, PDP governors voiced support for Fubara, urging a review of the state congresses.

Wike responded with threats to disrupt operations in the governors’ states if they continued interfering in Rivers affairs.

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The turmoil reached a new height when Fubara oversaw local government elections on October 5, dealing a blow to Wike’s camp as 22 of the 23 newly elected chairmen were from the Action Peoples Party.

In a surprising move on Friday, the NWC suspended the party’s National Publicity Secretary, Debo Ologunagba, and National Legal Adviser, Kamaldeen Ajibade.

The two had led opposition against Damagum’s efforts to align the party with Wike’s interests, particularly in Rivers State.

Moments later, Ologunagba issued a counterstatement, revealing that Damagum and National Secretary Samuel Anyanwu had been suspended for disloyalty to the PDP.

The faction led by Ologunagba appointed National Treasurer Yayari Ahmed Mohammed as acting National Chairman.

The crisis has divided the NWC, with both factions accusing each other of mismanagement and disloyalty. The PDP Board of Trustees, chaired by Adolphus Wabara, has called for calm, urging both sides to resolve the conflict and restore unity within the party.

The ongoing discord threatens the PDP’s stability ahead of critical national elections, with the fate of the party’s leadership and future direction hanging in the balance.