PDP Crisis: February NEC Meeting Uncertain as Wike, Bala Mohammed Clash

The February 29 National Executive Council (NEC) meeting of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) is in jeopardy as internal conflicts continue to divide party leaders. Despite efforts at reconciliation, key stakeholders remain locked in bitter disputes, making it uncertain whether the meeting will hold as scheduled.

At the center of the crisis is the escalating feud between Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, and the Chairman of the PDP Governors’ Forum, Bauchi State Governor Bala Mohammed. The disagreement has intensified following Wike’s criticism of Mohammed’s stance against President Bola Tinubu’s Tax Reform Bills. In response, Mohammed labeled Wike a “transactional politician” and a liability to the party. Wike fired back, accusing the governor of failing in his leadership role and holding onto his position out of “political greed.”

Adding to the turmoil is the silence of the Olagunsoye Oyinlola-led National Reconciliation Committee, which has not made any notable progress since its last meeting with the party’s National Working Committee (NWC) in October 2024. Party insiders say the committee faces fresh challenges that could further stall its work.

A NEC member, speaking anonymously, expressed doubts about the meeting taking place as planned, noting that it had already been postponed three times. He accused acting National Chairman Umar Damagum and his allies of looking for new excuses to delay it again, given the deep divisions within the party.

Another flashpoint is the crisis in the Rivers State chapter of the PDP, where Wike and Governor Siminalayi Fubara remain locked in a power struggle. The Rivers State High Court recently ruled in favor of a faction loyal to Fubara, a decision welcomed by some NWC members, including National Publicity Secretary Debo Ologunagba. However, Damagum and other key officials aligned with Wike rejected the ruling, with Deputy National Publicity Secretary Ibrahim Abdullahi stating that the NWC had not officially accepted the verdict.

The position of National Secretary remains another unresolved issue, with legal battles continuing between Senator Samuel Anyanwu and Sunday Ude-Okoye. Despite court rulings in favor of Ude-Okoye, Anyanwu insists he remains in office, citing a pending appeal at the Supreme Court. This has further divided the NWC, with different factions backing opposing candidates.

Elected deputies in the party have also taken sides, mostly aligning with Damagum. Their spokesperson, Timothy Osadolor, urged party members to recognize Damagum’s leadership or leave the PDP. He criticized past and present leaders for contributing to the crisis and insisted that Damagum would remain in office until December 2025.