ABUJA/IBADAN — Tension is brewing in the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) ahead of its highly anticipated national elective convention slated for November 15–16 in Ibadan, Oyo State, as Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister, Nyesom Wike, has threatened to derail the exercise.
Wike, who has been at loggerheads with his former ally, Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State, and other party leaders, vowed that the convention would not hold unless lingering internal disputes were resolved.
Speaking on Channels Television’s Politics Today on Tuesday night, the former Rivers State governor insisted that his group would not accept what he described as “injustice and impunity” in the party’s South-South and South-East structures.
“Our congress was held in Calabar, and Chief Dan Orbih emerged as National Vice Chairman, South-South. If they don’t recognise it, that’s another round of crisis. The South-East vice chairman, Ali Odefa, has been sacked by a court. If they don’t correct these anomalies, there will be no convention,” Wike declared.
He added: “I am not aware of any convention. As a NEC member, nobody has informed me. If notice of a meeting is not given to NEC members, we have the right to challenge it.”
But the PDP leadership swiftly dismissed Wike’s threats, insisting that the Ibadan convention remains on course.
Party spokesman, Debo Ologunagba, warned the minister against undermining party decisions, saying “necessary actions” would be taken against him if he continued on that path.
“The PDP constitution is clear. Our NEC, the second-highest decision-making body, fixed the convention for November 15 and 16 in Ibadan. INEC has been duly notified. All processes are in motion. No individual can stop this convention,” Ologunagba said.
Other PDP leaders, including Deputy National Youth Leader Timothy Osadolor and former South-West Vice Chairman Eddy Olafeso, accused Wike of overreaching himself.
Osadolor cautioned that the Supreme Court had already ruled that internal party matters are non-justiciable, warning Wike against putting himself “on the wrong side of history.”
Olafeso was more blunt: “Wike plans to destroy our party, but nobody will allow that. Sometimes the arrogance of power makes people think they can do everything. He cannot stop us.”
Veteran PDP leader, Chief Bode George, also weighed in, describing Wike’s threat as “mere noise.” He said the NEC’s decision was final and binding: “No individual owns PDP. The convention will hold in Ibadan, and Ibadan we will go.”
Meanwhile, Oyo PDP Chairman, Dayo Ogungbenro, downplayed the minister’s outburst, describing it as “a sheer political statement.” He expressed confidence that the party’s leaders would resolve the issues ahead of the convention.
The November Ibadan convention is expected to elect 19 new members into the PDP National Working Committee (NWC) as the party attempts to rebuild following the recent defection of its 2019 and 2023 presidential candidate Atiku Abubakar, his running mate Ifeanyi Okowa, and several governors to rival parties.
With Wike threatening “a fresh crisis” and the PDP insisting the “train has left the station,” all eyes are now on Ibadan, where the party’s unity will once again face a crucial test.
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