PDP Governors Push Back Against Wike’s Camp, Move to Exert Full Control Over Party Structure

The power struggle within the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) took a dramatic turn as the party’s governors made a decisive move to challenge the influence of the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, and assert full control over the party’s structure.

At a meeting held in Asaba, Delta State, on Friday, the PDP Governors’ Forum (PDP-GF), led by Governor Bala Mohammed of Bauchi State, issued a clear message to the party’s National Working Committee (NWC) and to Wike’s allies: the governors intend to take charge of the party’s leadership decisions.

In a bold declaration, the Forum officially recognized Hon. Sunday Ude-Okoye as the rightful National Secretary of the PDP. Ude-Okoye’s appointment followed a court ruling that had already recognized him over the claims of Senator Samuel Anyanwu, a prominent Wike ally, who continues to assert that he remains in office. The governors’ decision was seen as an attempt to sideline Anyanwu and strengthen their grip over the party’s operations.

The governors’ statement, read by Governor Mohammed, reaffirmed their support for the Court of Appeal judgment in Ude-Okoye’s favor and urged the NWC to implement the ruling. They further recommended that the party reschedule its upcoming National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting from February to March 13, providing the NWC ample time to ensure Ude-Okoye’s signature is officially recognized and sent to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

This move has heightened the internal conflict within the PDP, particularly between the factions aligned with Wike and those supporting the governors. Ude-Okoye’s recognition signals a clear shift in power toward the governors, with the intention of asserting their authority over the party’s direction.

Senator Anyanwu, however, was undeterred by the governors’ declaration, reaffirming his position as National Secretary. “I remain the PDP National Secretary,” Anyanwu said, dismissing the Forum’s communique as a non-binding position of a pressure group. Despite the legal defeat, Anyanwu has sought to delay the implementation of the Court of Appeal’s decision, filing an appeal with the Supreme Court.

This move follows a series of escalating tensions between the PDP’s national leadership and Wike, who has become increasingly resistant to the governors’ influence. The growing divide stems from a wider dispute over party control in Rivers State, where Wike has rejected calls for Governor Siminalayi Fubara to take charge of the party’s leadership in the state.

Wike, a former governor of Rivers, has clashed with the PDP Governors’ Forum over their stance, particularly their support for Fubara. The ongoing dispute has deepened the rift within the PDP, as Wike has threatened to destabilize the party in states governed by the opposition if his control over Rivers State’s party structure is challenged.

In response, the governors have aligned themselves with Fubara, demanding that Wike step aside and respect the established tradition of allowing governors to lead their state party structures. This conflict has split the 17-member NWC into two factions: one loyal to Wike, led by Acting National Chairman Umar Damagum and Anyanwu, and the other supporting Fubara, represented by National Legal Adviser Kamaldeen Ajibade, National Publicity Secretary Debo Ologunagba, and National Treasurer Yayari Ahmed.

Former PDP National Publicity Secretary Kola Ologbondiyan praised the governors for their stand in favor of the rule of law and party unity. He emphasized that Ude-Okoye’s position as National Secretary had been determined by the courts, and that the governors were right in enforcing that decision. Ologbondiyan also called for further restructuring within the party, urging the reversal of Damagum’s appointment to Deputy National Chairman (North) in order to allow the North-Central zone to complete its tenure.