PDP Governors Stand Firm Against Wike’s Faction, Vow To Uphold Party Discipline.
Governors elected under the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) have issued a stern warning to the faction led by Federal Capital Territory Minister Nyesom Wike, declaring that the party will not succumb to arrogance, impunity, or divisive tactics. The statement, delivered by Bala Mohammed, Governor of Bauchi State and Chairman of the PDP Governors’ Forum, came during the inauguration of the National Convention Planning Committee in Abuja on Tuesday, ahead of the party’s elective national convention scheduled for 15-16 November in Ibadan, Oyo State.
Mohammed, speaking on behalf of his fellow governors, emphasised their commitment to enforcing discipline within the PDP, asserting that they are “not cowards” and will confront any attempts to derail the party’s progress. The governors’ remarks were a direct response to Wike’s camp, which, under the banner of “Eminent Leaders and Concerned Stakeholders,” issued a communiqué on Monday night outlining six conditions for a peaceful convention. These demands included calls for fresh, transparent congresses in Ebonyi, Anambra, and parts of Ekiti, as well as adherence to court rulings and zoning rules, warning that non-compliance could render the convention “invalid” and disenfranchise members.
The meeting of Wike’s faction, held at his Abuja residence, saw the attendance of key figures such as former Benue State Governor Samuel Ortom, who delivered the communiqué, alongside ex-governors Okezie Ikpeazu (Abia), Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi (Enugu), and Ayo Fayose (Ekiti), as well as PDP National Secretary Sam Anyanwu and other party stakeholders. Their demands have deepened tensions within the PDP, with some leaders warning that yielding to Wike’s conditions could exacerbate existing divisions ahead of the 2027 elections.
PDP National Chairman Ambassador Iliya Damagum dismissed the threats, affirming that the convention would proceed as planned. “The PDP is alive, strong, united, and ready to challenge the ruling All Progressives Congress in 2027,” he declared, labelling Wike’s faction as detractors who will not succeed in disrupting the party’s plans. The governors echoed this resolve, with Mohammed stressing that the party would not be led “to the slaughterhouse” and that discipline would guide their actions.
Analysts suggest the ongoing rift, rooted in Wike’s fallout with the PDP leadership during the 2023 elections and his subsequent alignment with President Bola Tinubu’s administration, poses a significant challenge to the party’s unity. Public affairs analyst Nduka Odo described Wike’s demands as a “battle for the soul of the PDP,” noting grassroots unease over the party’s direction. Despite the tensions, the governors’ united front and the appointment of Adamawa State Governor Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri to chair the convention committee signal a determined effort to steer the PDP towards a cohesive and competitive future.
