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PDP’s war without end as Wike’s camp gives new condition for peace
This piece looks at the crisis threatening PDP’s chances of making a comeback at the federal level after eight years in opposition.
Despite denials and mixed signals from some of its leading figures, the main opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) is apparently in crisis. The party has not known peace since it was swept out of power by the All Progressives Congress (APC). How did the party get to this sorry state? The party’s current crisis, which is a fall out of the outcome of the June 30, 2022 presidential primary, is a culmination of a series of events which followed the loss of power in 2015. Following the loss, several party leaders, some of whom connived with the then opposition APC to end PDP’s 16 years of dominance, ditched the ‘umbrella’ to seek their political fortunes elsewhere.
Working along with others, Wike’s intervention in party affairs was not without controversy. In pursuit of an agenda for total dominance, the rivers governor, along with his ally, former Ekiti State governor, Ayo Fayose, pushed for a leadership change and foisted former Borno State Governor Ali Modu Sheriff as National Chairman.
Sheriff’s tenure inflicted on the PDP a leadership tussle never before seen in the party’s close to two decades of existence. It was brought to its knees such that it took the intervention of the Supreme Court to restore normalcy with the interim leadership of Sen. Ahmed Makarfi.
Not done, Wike engineered the emergence of Uche Secondus as National Chairman but they soon parted ways when Wike wanted Governor Aminu Tambuwal of Sokoto State as the party’s candidate for the 2019 presidential election. The battle was so fierce that Wike threatened dire consequences if the PDP shifted the primary from Port Harcourt as earlier agreed. He had his wish but his candidate lost to former VP Atiku Abubakar.
At the height of the dispute, the Rivers governor owned up to having a hand in the travails of his one-time political ally (Secondus). In response to a question on whether he had a hand in the move to oust Secondus, Wike answered in the affirmative. A series of litigations followed and Secondus was edged out.
Enter Senator Iyiochia Ayu. Party stakeholders came together and arrived at a consensus to elect the former Senate President as replacement for Secondus.
It became the responsibility of the Ayu-led National Working Committee to prepare the ground for congresses at various levels as well as the primary to elect the party’s presidential candidate for the 2023 elections. This time, Wike indicated interest in running for the PDP ticket.
When the primary was eventually held at the Moshood Abiola National Stadium, Abuja, on Saturday, May 28, Atiku emerged victorious after polling 371 votes to beat Wike who came second with 237 votes; Dr Bukola Saraki, a former Senate President, got 70 votes; Governor Bala Mohammed of Bauchi State, 20 votes; his Akwa Ibom State counterpart, Udom Emmanuel, 38 votes; Mr Pius Anyim, a former Senate President and Secretary to the Government of the Federation, SGF, 14 votes, and Mazi Sam Ohuabunwa, boardroom titan, one vote.
A last-minute decision by Tambuwal to throw his weight behind Atiku during the primary dealt a mortal blow on Wike’s chances. While the Rivers governor was still licking his wound, another shocker awaited him. His supporters had expected that he would be picked as presidential running mate but this was also not to be.
Atiku, who, perhaps, learnt a lesson from his 2019 experience, consulted critical organs of the party, including the PDP Governors’ Forum, Board of Trustees, and National Working Committee with each expressing different views.
He subsequently set up a committee to recommend a list of candidates from which he was to pick one. Three persons: Wike, Governor Ifeanyi Okowa (Delta) and Udom Emmanuel were recommended.
Atiku settled for Okowa, but this, obviously, didn’t go down well with Wike and those sympathetic to his cause.
Some of his colleagues in this category include Governors Samuel Ortom (Benue), Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi (Enugu), Okezie Ikpazu (Abia) and Seyi Makinde (Oyo) among others. It was learnt that the Wike camp is demanding among other things that the party’s National Chairman, Ayu, should step aside first, for his alleged partiality during the primary. Second, that his continued stay in office was a breach of the PDP’s zoning principle.
As things stand, the party’s presidential candidate, the National Chairman and the Chairman of the Board of Trustees are all from northern Nigeria. PDP stakeholders are still trying to broker peace.
A top ranking member of the party, who pleaded anonymity for fear of jeopardizing ongoing peace talks, said, “Truth be told, Wike is not contesting for any office at the moment, he literally has nothing to lose.
“The Atiku camp has angered the Wike camp with the conduct and utterances of some of its members.
“Matters were made matters worse by Atiku’s people who went behind to broker meetings between Atiku and some of Wike’s people in a bid to isolate him. “I’m aware that some strategists are working hard to isolate Wike in order to deal directly with those in his camp who have something at stake.
“Several of the governors will be seeking a second term in office come 2023, some will be heading for the Senate, and hence those in this category will see reason to abandon a course of action which could jeopardize their chances.”
Party watchers agree that the current travails of the party PDP are deep-rooted and virtually everybody in the party’s top echelon has played one role or another in making it fester.
A senior lecturer in the Department of Political Science, University of Jos, Joseph Anuga, explained that power abhors a vacuum as such, when the party’s founding fathers jumped ship and others stepped in to fill the gap, it would be inconceivable to expect such persons not to seek to promote their own interests.
He said, “People join political parties as a vehicle to actualize their personal or group interests. Governor Wike stepped in when others ran, you can’t blame him for seeking to benefit from the investment of his time, energy and resources in the party.”
An Abuja-based public affairs commentator, Mr. Adakole Moses, on his part, said the party will be shooting itself in the foot if it does not find a decent way to handle Wike’s concerns.
He said, “Since the PDP, like most of our political parties do not have a structured functional system of financing its operations, a man who helped sustain the party throughout its most challenging period will definitely have this sense of entitlement for whatever it is worth, the party and its candidate must find a way to reassure him and his supporters that their concerns are not being ignored.
“There is also a big challenge which both the PDP and any other party which intends to form government in 2023 cannot ignore-the South East. It is double jeopardy because; this is one part of the country which has consistently voted for the party since 1999.
“Most south-easterners feel alienated because they feel, and rightly so, that their close to two decades of support for the PDP brand should count for something.
“Votes from the region may not be much when compared to the North-West for example, but the eventual winner must get at least 25 percent of votes cast in each state to be returned.”
The Atiku camp has remained upbeat about prospects of an early resolution of the impasse following a face-to-face meeting between him and Wike penultimate week. Media Adviser to the former VP, Mazi Paul Ibe, told Sunday Vanguard, “We are in the final stages of talks, we are confident that most, if not all of the outstanding issues, will be thrashed out in no distant future. The PDP is one big family.”
A source in Wike’s camp said, “We are not averse to a quick resolution of all the issues, but we require significant guarantees to restore our confidence in the process.”
While a former Deputy National Chairman of the party, Chief Bode George, has led the move to oust Ayu in order to pave way for genuine reconciliation, the party leadership described his calls a personal opinion which was not reflective of the majority opinion of party members.
National Publicity Secretary of the PDP, Debo Ologunagba, said, “Every member has a right to express a personal opinion, it is their right.
“This does not however represent the majority opinion of our members.
“Our party organs have met severally and have expressed confidence in the leadership of the Iyochia Ayu-led National Working Committee.”
He explained that calls for Ayu’s removal on account of zoning were uncalled for at this time because there is precedent.
The spokesman noted that when President Umaru Yar’Adua, a northerner, emerged as PDP candidate in 2007, Senator Ahmadu Ali, also a northerner, was National Chairman until Yar’Adua won the election before another Convention was held and a successor emerged.
Minority Leader of the House of Representatives, Ndudi Elumelu, speaking in a similar vein at a party event in Abuja, on Friday, said those making such calls did not wish either the PDP or Nigeria well.
He said, “Those calling for the dissolution of the NWC do not mean well for the PDP and Nigeria. What we should be taking about now is how to unite the party towards achieving the rescue mission. We are proud of our party leadership and we are with them.”
Vanguard
…Lament Absence Of Ngige, Moghalu Others
By Okey Maduforo Awka
Foundation members of the All Progressives Congress APC in Anambra state have protested what they call the hijack of the party by members of the People’s Democratic Party PDP at just concluded State Congress.
They further lamented the absence of former governor and Minister Sen Chris Ngige, former National Auditor of the party Chief George Moghalu, former National Youth leader of the party Chief Uzoma Igbonwa and others during the Congress.
According to the spokesman of the foundation members Mr Uchenna Adika from Onitsha North local government area ; members such as Chief Ike Ekwensi and Chief Kene Nzekwe were both disqualified and denied access to purchase forms for the post of Deputy Chairman and Chairman, most original members of the party.
“What you saw that took place there at the party Secretarate is a hijack of the party by the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) and not the real APC stalwarts”
“Some of us went to buy forms for the post of state Chairman they refused to sell to us and there are some of us who actually purchased forms for the post of Deputy Chairman but they were disqualified by them and you call it internal democracy in the party ”
The group questioned that ; “,At what point did all these people join the APC ? ”
“There should be a demarcation between the Renewed Hope Ambassadors campaign organization of Mr President and the leadership of the APC in Anambra state” he said.
But Sen Uche Ekwunife during the Congress contended that what the party did was I line with the provisions of the APC constitution adding that the party at this point do not need Photoshop executive members who do not have capacity or anything to offer for the growth and progress of the party .
“Our outgoing Chairman Chief Basil Ejidike is not going because he did not do well or that he is incompetent but he has been there for seven years and there is the need to regig the party ”
“It is not about becoming an executive member of the party for Photoshop or just to be there ”
“We did basketing and consensus in line with the provisions of our party Constitution and we are looking at people that had capacity to work and deliver and not rubber stamp executive ” she said.
By Chinedu Sabastine
The second edition of the Enugu Tech Festival (ETF 2.0) has concluded with a record-breaking 53,000 physical participants, reinforcing Nigeria’s growing ambition to emerge as a continental hub for digital innovation.
Held from 24 to 27 February 2026 at the Enugu International Conference Centre, the four-day festival exceeded its projected target of 50,000 attendees, drawing innovators, founders, investors, policymakers and students from across Nigeria and beyond.
Convener of the festival and Enugu State Commissioner for Innovation, Science and Technology, Prince Lawrence Ezeh, described the turnout as “a resounding validation of Enugu’s vision to become a technology trailblazer in Africa.” He noted that the festival also attracted hundreds of online participants globally.
The event was broadcast live on Africa Independent Television (AIT) and reportedly ranked among the top five trending global events on social media during its run—an unprecedented level of digital engagement for an African technology convergence.
“We set out to inspire 50,000 innovators, thinkers, founders, investors and digital talents. To see nearly 60,000 people here—not registrations but real engagement—shows that the African tech narrative is shifting from perception to measurable impact,” Dr Ezeh said.
Attendance Breakdown and Daily Focus
Organisers disclosed that Day One recorded 20,000 participants, Day Two 15,000, Day Three 13,000, and Day Four 5,000 attendees. Each day was structured around a central theme, featuring contributions from government, global tech firms, startups and academia.
The theme for ETF 2.0 was “Coal to Code: Energy in New Form.”
Policy, Investment and Innovation
Day One focused on policy and governance and was officially declared open by Enugu State Governor Peter Mbah, who emphasised technology and innovation as central pillars of his administration’s development agenda.
“We are witnessing an economic renaissance powered by technology… The global economy is now driven by ideas, code, data and innovation,” Mbah said, adding that Enugu has chosen to be “a producer, not a spectator” in the Fourth Industrial Revolution.
Dignitaries including Sweden’s Ambassador to Nigeria, Anna Westerholm, toured exhibition halls showcasing startups, coding boot camps, robotics demonstrations and AI-powered agricultural tools.
Observers from Britain and other European markets noted a shift in Nigeria’s tech discourse—from aspirational rhetoric to implementation-driven frameworks with measurable outcomes.
Day Two spotlighted entrepreneurship and investment. A curated “Deal Room” facilitated engagements between startups and venture capitalists, while masterclasses addressed scaling, product-market fit and cross-border expansion. Investors from Lagos, Nairobi, London and Dubai attended, reflecting rising global interest in African digital enterprises.
Dr Ezeh described the festival as “a bridge between talent and capital,” positioning Enugu as an emerging investment gateway to South-East Nigeria’s technology corridor.
Day Three explored artificial intelligence, blockchain and Web3 technologies, featuring a live hackathon with teams developing solutions in fintech, healthcare diagnostics and climate-smart agriculture. Panels also examined responsible AI governance and decentralised finance regulation.
Youth Empowerment and Lasting Impact
The closing day blended innovation showcases with awards and cultural performances. Nigeria’s Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology, Kingsley Tochukwu Udeh, reaffirmed federal support for youth-led innovation and research commercialisation.
Secretary to the Enugu State Government, Chidiebere Onyia, described ETF 2.0 as “a landmark achievement” that has elevated Enugu’s global profile.
One of the festival’s most tangible outcomes was its youth empowerment initiative. Hundreds of young participants received laptops and tablets, while selected startup founders and innovation teams were awarded ₦10 million grants each to accelerate product development and market entry. Additional groups received smaller grants to support training, prototyping and community tech hubs.
“Inspiration without tools is incomplete,” Dr Ezeh said. “We are placing real resources in the hands of those who will shape the ecosystem.”
A Growing Continental Signal
Beyond speeches and exhibitions, ETF 2.0 functioned as a marketplace of ideas, ambition and opportunity. Cultural performances and digital art installations underscored the festival’s message that technology and cultural identity can coexist.
For international observers, the festival reflects a broader continental shift: Africa’s youthful, tech-savvy population is increasingly entrepreneurial and globally connected.
Against persistent challenges such as infrastructure gaps and regulatory uncertainty, Enugu’s successful convening of over 53,000 innovators sends a clear signal—subnational governments are stepping forward as active ecosystem builders.
As the curtains fell on ETF 2.0, Dr Ezeh reflected on what he termed “Africa’s defining decade.”
“This festival is not an endpoint,” he said. “It is the foundation. We are building from Enugu to the world.”
If ETF 2.0 is any indication, that ambition is already gaining momentum.
While the Nigerian Police Force said 75 persons were confirmed killed in the assault on Woro and Nuku communities, local sources and international observers put the death toll significantly higher.
In a statement on X on Friday, the US Mission in Nigeria described the attack as “horrific,” saying more than 160 people were feared dead, with many still unaccounted for.
“The United States condemns the horrific attack in Kwara state in Nigeria, which claimed the lives of more than 160 people, with the death toll still unconfirmed and many still unaccounted for.
“We express our deepest condolences to the families of those affected by this senseless violence,” the statement read.
It welcomed President Bola Tinubu’s directive to deploy security forces to protect affected communities.
The reaction adds to international condemnation of the attack, which had earlier drawn rebukes from the United Nations and the Republic of Türkiye.
Tinubu had ordered the deployment of an army battalion to Kaiama and approved the creation of a new military command to lead the operation, following the assault on Woro and Nuku communities.
The Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, had also ordered the immediate deployment of tactical and intelligence teams to Kaiama and surrounding communities to restore calm and prevent further attacks.
Kwara State Governor, AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, said the deployment of troops under Operation Savannah Shield would help deter further violence, adding that security forces were already on the ground.
By Okey Maduforo, Awka
The alleged sit-at-home order reportedly issued by the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) for Monday, February 2, 2026, in Anambra State has suffered a major setback, following a firm denial by the group that it authorised such a directive.
IPOB dismissed the order as false and further disowned the use of the pseudonym Emma Powerful as the signatory to any of its press statements, warning that any statement issued under that name did not originate from the organisation.
In a statement attributed to the Head of the Directorate of State (DOS), Mazi Chukwukadibia Edoziem, the group said it never approved any sit-at-home or lockdown across Biafraland on the said date.
“Furthermore, the Directorate of State categorically states that it did not authorise any individual or group whatsoever to issue a lockdown or sit-at-home order across Biafraland on Monday, February 2, 2026,” the statement read.
IPOB also announced new guidelines for its official communications, resolving that all press statements representing its position must henceforth be issued exclusively on the organisation’s official letterhead.
The group explained that due to the abuse and compromise of the pseudonym Emma Powerful, it would no longer use the name for issuing statements.
“For the avoidance of doubt and in the interest of clarity, any press statement released under the pseudonym ‘Emma Powerful’ going forward does not emanate from IPOB leadership and does not represent the position of the IPOB Directorate of State,” the statement added.
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has cancelled the posting of an ambassadorial nominee to Turkey, clarifying that no ambassador has been appointed to Ankara despite an earlier announcement suggesting otherwise.
The clarification came on Friday, hours after the Presidency initially announced the posting of former Kebbi State Governor, Usman Dakingari, as Nigeria’s ambassador-designate to Turkey.
Earlier in the week, President Tinubu had approved the posting of four ambassador-designates from a pool of more than 60 nominees confirmed by the Senate last December. However, the Presidency has now confirmed only three appointments, effectively leaving the Turkish diplomatic mission without a nominee.
In a statement issued late Thursday night, the President’s spokesman, Bayo Onanuga, had announced that President Tinubu approved the posting of four ambassador-designates.
The initial list named Kayode Are, former Director-General of the Department of State Services (DSS), as ambassador-designate to the United States; Ayodele Oke, former Director-General of the National Intelligence Agency (NIA), as ambassador-designate to France; Amin Dalhatu, former Nigerian ambassador to South Korea, as High Commissioner-designate to the United Kingdom; and Usman Dakingari, former Governor of Kebbi State, as ambassador-designate to Turkey.
Following the revision, the Presidency directed the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to formally notify the governments of France, the United States and the United Kingdom of the confirmed ambassador-designates, in accordance with diplomatic procedures.
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