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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
The Enugu State Government has tasked health partners and stakeholders on translating government policies, investments and strategic plans into measurable improvements in health outcomes meant to uplift residents’ health status.
The state Commissioner for Health, Prof. George Ugwu, gave the task on Saturday in Enugu while formally declaring open the 2026 Enugu State Health Sector Joint Annual Review (JAR) Meeting.
Ugwu assured that the state government remained committed in building a stronger, more responsive and resilient health system.
The commissioner called for renewed commitment, accountability and collective action to strengthen healthcare delivery across the state.
He commended Gov. Peter Mbah for his remarkable commitment to transforming the health sector through sustained investments, reforms and initiatives aimed at improving access to quality healthcare for the people.
Ugwu noted that the meeting provided an important platform for partners and stakeholders to take stock of the implementation of the 2026 Annual Operational Plan, assess progress, identify gaps and bottlenecks.
The commissioner said that the meeting would provide opportunities for agreements on practical actions to accelerate health sector performance.
In a remark, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Health, Dr. George Nwachi, stressed the importance of the review as a mechanism for strengthening accountability, evidence-based decision-making and effective implementation of health programmes.
Nwachi emphasised the need for stakeholders to critically examine achievements and challenges, close identified implementation gaps and develop realistic priorities that would further improve service delivery across the state.
The technical sessions featured the presentation of the 2025 JAR Resolutions by the Director of Planning, Research and Statistics of the Ministry of Health, Mrs Ann Oguejiofor, providing a basis for assessing progress on previously agreed actions.
The Sector-Wide Approach (SWAp) Desk Officer, Mrs Uju Ewoh, also presented an update on the Maternal and Neonatal Mortality Reduction Innovation and Initiative (MAMII) initiative.
The State Monitoring and Evaluation Officer, Mr Ikechukwu Obodo, presented the validated JAR template to guide the assessment of health sector performance and ensure that the review is anchored on reliable data and measurable indicators.
The outcomes of the two-day critical stakeholders’ meeting would serve as a critical foundation for the development of the 2027 Annual Operational Plan, further advancing Enugu State’s determination to deliver stronger, more efficient and people-centred healthcare services.
…As Nsukka LG boss, Asogwa bags Best Council Chairman Award_
Governor Peter Ndubuisi Mbah’s transformational leadership and developmental strides took centre stage, yet again, as Enugu Media Village honoured him with an Award of Excellence for dedication to transformational leadership and outstanding governance.
This was even as the Chairman of Nsukka Local Government Area, Engr. Jude Asogwa, emerged winner of the 2025/2026 Enugu State Best Performing Local Government Chairman Award, while Isi-Uzo Council Chairman, Barr. Obiora Obeagu came second in the poll.
The awards were presented during the organisation’s 2025/2026 Best Performing Local Government Chairman Poll and Leadership Recognition Ceremony, which took place at the International Conference Centre, Enugu.
Presenting the awards on behalf of the organisation, the Board of Trustees Chairman of Enugu Media Village and former Chairman of Agwu Local Government Area, Hon. Nnanna Nze, commended Governor Mbah for what he described as his remarkable transformation of the state in just three years.
Nze noted that the governor’s developmental strides in critical sectors of the economy had continued to attract commendation from residents and stakeholders.
Earlier in his welcome address, the Founder and Director General of Enugu Media Village, Mr. Kelvin Uche Edeh, described the organisation as a media platform established to promote developmental governance and ensure that information about government projects reaches the grassroots.
He noted that Governor Mbah had demonstrated that governance was a powerful tool for transforming communities and improving lives.
“Governor Peter Mbah has shown us that governance is about changing communities and transforming systems.
“We are committed to supporting developmental governance by ensuring that information reaches the grassroots across all local government areas,” Edeh stated.
Receiving the award, Governor Mbah said the honour belonged to members of his team and the entire people of Enugu State for entrusting their mandate to him.
He, however, said that the people of Enugu State had only seen a tip of the iceberg, as he remained committed to exceeding expectations in delivering more dividends of democracy to the people.
Mbah, who was represented by the state’s Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Barr. Osinachi Nnajieze, said the people of Enugu State deserved only the very best, hence his insistence on excellence, innovation and high performance from members of his administration.
Another major highlight of the event was the emergence of Engr. Jude Asogwa, as winner of the 2025/2026 Enugu State Best Performing Local Government Chairman Award.
The poll, which featured all 17 local government areas of the state, recorded Nsukka Local Government Area as the overall winner with 110,447 votes, ahead of Isi Uzo, Uzo Uwani, Igbo Eze North and Enugu South LGAs, in that order.
In his acceptance speech, Engr. Asogwa, who dedicated the award to God, Governor Mbah, his family and the people of Nsukka, said the recognition reflected his Council’s commitment to delivering development to all 52 communities in the LGA.
He further reaffirmed Nsukka’s support for Governor Mbah’s re-election, citing the administration’s investments in the area such as 20 Smart Green Schools, 21 Type-2 Primary Healthcare Centres, dualization of the over 44.1-kilometre Enugu – Opi – Nsukka Road, the 52.2km Nguru – Lejja – Aku – Akpakume Nze – Egede – Affa – Eke road, and N1 billion oxygen plant, among other development projects designed to improve lives and grow Nsukka and Enugu North Zone’s economy.
“Let me just tell us that the secret of our performance is Dr. Peter Ndubuisi Mbah. He is a leader that supports the local government council chairmen. He is a governor who does not tamper with the allocations of the LGAs. That is the secret of the results you are seeing. In addition, he has delivered 267 Smart Schools and 260 Type 2 Primary Healthcare Centres in the 260 wards.
“So, Nsukka is for Governor Peter Mbah. Also, we had earlier decided as a zone that come 2027, we will support and deliver not only the governor but also President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, whose administration has contributed to the growth and development of our people, including the appointment of the first indigenous Vice Chancellor of the University of Nigeria, Nsukka,” he said.
The event also featured the presentation of Awards of Excellence to distinguished public office holders and leaders in recognition of their contributions to governance, leadership and public service.
Among the awardees were Senator Osita Ngwu, representing Enugu West Senatorial District; Senator Ikeje Asogwa, representing Enugu North Senatorial District; Hon. Chimaobi Sam Atu, representing Enugu North and South Federal Constituency; Barr. Osinachi Nnajieze, Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice; and Chie Chukwudi Nnaji.
The Member representing Ilaje/Ese-Odo Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, Donland Ojogo, narrowly escaped death on Saturday when his two-vehicle convoy was involved in a road accident.
The incident, which occurred along the Ore–Ondo Road, reportedly involved a commercial bus that dangerously overtook the lawmaker’s vehicle and collided with an oncoming vehicle, causing panic and confusion among road users.
Although Hon. Ojogo, who recently secured a return to the National Assembly, did not sustain any serious injuries, some members of his entourage were affected in the crash.
The federal lawmaker was said to be en route to Arogbo in Ese-Odo Local Government Area for a political l engagement when the accident happened.
Reacting to the incident, Ojogo expressed gratitude to God for sparing his life and that of his team, noting that the situation could have been fatal if not for divine intervention.
According to him, “God took perfect control of the situation and prevented what could have turned into a tragic incident.”
He, however, blamed the driver of the commercial bus for the accident, accusing him of reckless driving and impatience on the highway.
Meanwhile, those who sustained injuries in the crash have been rushed to a nearby hospital where they are currently receiving treatment.
Petroleum marketers have slowed fuel purchases from the Dangote Petroleum Refinery amid uncertainty surrounding the company’s decision to sell Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) in U.S. dollars, raising concerns over possible disruptions in fuel supply across Nigeria.
While some marketers claimed that fuel loading had been suspended at the Lekki-based refinery, the company dismissed the reports, insisting that loading operations were continuing as normal.
Industry players, however, said many marketers had deliberately reduced or halted large-scale purchases while awaiting clarification on the refinery’s new pricing structure and the expected landing cost of imported petroleum products.
The National Publicity Secretary of the Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN), Chinedu Ukadike, explained that marketers were reluctant to buy large volumes because of uncertainty over future petrol prices.
According to him, products currently in circulation were purchased at between ₦1,250 and ₦1,300 per litre, while fresh supplies could be priced differently depending on the new crude oil pricing template and imported fuel costs.
“The challenge is that marketers do not know whether petrol prices will rise or fall after making fresh purchases. Consumers still expect fuel to be sold at the prevailing pump price, making it risky for marketers to stock up,” Ukadike said.
He noted that although fuel distribution had not stopped entirely, the volume of products being loaded had reduced significantly. He urged the Federal Government to intervene quickly by resolving the pricing uncertainty to restore confidence in the downstream petroleum sector.
Similarly, the IPMAN Western Zone Chairman, Oyewole Akanni, confirmed that the uncertainty had forced many marketers in the South-West to suspend fresh purchases, resulting in temporary closures of some filling stations.
Speaking to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), Akanni said the situation followed the reported suspension of PMS loading at the Dangote Refinery about four days ago, forcing marketers to rely on private depots where prices have risen sharply.
According to him, ex-depot prices at private facilities in Lagos now range from ₦1,200 to ₦1,220 per litre, excluding transportation costs, with some depots reportedly selling at up to ₦1,250 per litre. He added that products were still available from suppliers such as NIPCO and Aiteo at around ₦1,200 per litre.
Akanni disclosed that four truckloads of petrol meant for his filling stations had remained at the refinery since loading was reportedly suspended.
“I was supposed to receive four truckloads of PMS four days ago, but that has not happened because the trucks are still at the Dangote Refinery,” he said.
Despite the situation, Akanni maintained that Nigeria was not experiencing fuel scarcity and advised motorists against panic buying. However, he warned that prolonged uncertainty could eventually lead to an increase in pump prices.
The developments have heightened anxiety in the downstream sector, with marketers closely monitoring pricing decisions before resuming normal fuel purchases.
Specifically, the House seeks details of funds released to the Ministry of Defence over the past six months and an explanation for the perceived lack of corresponding improvements in security nationwide.
The resolution followed the adoption of a motion of urgent public importance brought on the floor of the Green Chamber by the member representing Gummi/Bukkuyum Federal Constituency of Zamfara State, Mr Sulaiman Gumi, during plenary on Tuesday.
Speaking on the substance of the motion, the lawmaker lamented the sorry state of security in Zamfara and other parts of the North-West zone, noting that as a result of the campaign of violence by insurgents, the entire region is now battling the scourge of humanitarian crises made worse by the harsh economic realities of the times.
He said, “The House is aware that between June 1 and 6, 2026, rampaging bandits riding on about 250 motorcycles with three riders each invaded Gummi/Bukkuyum Federal Constituency, and some parts of Sokoto villages bordering Zamfara State, killing 93 people.
“The House is also aware that on the night of June 2, 2026, into the early hours of June 3, 2026, seven students of the Federal Polytechnic, Kaura Namoda, Zamfara State, were abducted by bandits at their off-campus students’ hostel.
“Earlier, two senior lecturers of the same polytechnic were kidnapped and held in captivity for more than two months, despite ransom payments for their release.
“We are aware of the violent attack by bandits on Zurmi Local Government Area of Zamfara State, where four people were killed and several travellers abducted.
“In Talata Marafa Local Government Area, a councillor and a director were abducted while travelling from Jangebe to the local government headquarters over Hajj activities for intending pilgrims from Jangebe. The bandits killed both of them after refusing to collect any ransom.”
The lawmaker also drew his colleagues’ attention to the escalation of bandit attacks in other Northwest states, including Katsina, Kaduna, Kano, Kebbi, and Jigawa.
Gumi recalled that “On May 31, 2026, 17 villagers were killed when bandits in their hundreds and riding on motorcycles invaded Dangulbi community in Tureta Local Government Area of Sokoto State,” stressing that “more than 15 communities in Tureta and Sabon Birni local government areas of Sokoto State have been deserted due to constant bandit attacks.
“In Katsina State, a former Director of Defence Information of the Nigerian Army, Maj Gen Rabe Abubakar Batsari (retd), and his wife were abducted when their vehicle was ambushed along the Marabar Musawa-Kafinsoli road in Matazu Local Government Area on May 30, 2026.”
He continued, “Just yesterday (Monday), 50 elderly men were kidnapped and are still held captive in Zamfara State.
“In Kaduna State, bandit attacks remain a significant security challenge, with recent incidents heavily concentrated in areas like Kachia, Sanga and Birnin-Gwari Local Government Areas, while in Kano State, bandit attacks have primarily impacted rural communities sharing borders with neighbouring Katsina State, with the most severe incidents resulting in fatalities, livestock rustling, and abductions.”
He expressed concern that the continuous, unchallenged movement of bandits between the towns, states and their hideouts severely undermined the credibility of the nation’s security, adding that if the trend was not checked, more lives would be lost, and the socio-economic fortunes of the region would be ruined.
Contributing, Jigawa lawmaker, Abubakar Yalleman, called for a speedy consideration of all legislative proposals for the establishment of state police.
“I urge the National Assembly to expedite action on state police to help checkmate the deteriorating level of security in the country,” he said, a call backed by his Ogun counterpart, Mr Olumide Osoba.
Also speaking, the member representing Ikorodu Federal Constituency of Lagos State, Babajimi Benson, called on the Federal Government to revisit the cashless policy as a way of restricting incidences of cash payment to kidnappers.
“It is important to revisit the cashless policy because it is difficult to pay ransom through bank transfers,” he said.
Similarly, the member representing Shomolu Federal Constituency of Lagos State, Ademorin Kuye, called for strict regulation on the activities of Bureau De Change operators, among other measures.
“It is important for us to gazette the prohibition of ransom payment to kidnappers. The Central Bank of Nigeria should consider monitoring the activities of Bureau De Change operators to address illicit financial flows,” he advised.
Following the adoption of the motion, the House resolved to summon the government officials at a date yet to be announced, while urging the defence minister to deploy adequate security personnel and necessary operational equipment to Zamfara State and the entire Northwest to strengthen the security of the region.
It also urged ministers of agriculture, environment, education, humanitarian affairs and disaster management to explore other non-kinetic options of addressing the security challenges in the country.
The House thereafter mandated the Committee on Defence and other relevant committees to ensure compliance and report back within two weeks for further legislative action.
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