FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike and PDP logo
Tensions are rising within the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) as a Northern-based support group has accused loyalists of Minister Nyesom Wike of actively working to sabotage the party’s upcoming national convention scheduled for November 15 and 16 in Ibadan, Oyo State.
Speaking through a press statement on Wednesday, the Coordinator of the Northern PDP Support Group, Yusuf Abubakar, alleged that some members of the National Working Committee (NWC) are colluding with Wike and his allies to stall preparations for the highly anticipated convention.
According to Abubakar, the unfolding legal disputes among key party officials—allegedly backed by the National Secretary, National Legal Adviser, and National Organising Secretary—are “calculated distractions” aimed at destabilizing the PDP’s internal cohesion ahead of critical political realignments.
“This is not just a legal dispute; it’s a deliberate plot to derail the Ibadan convention,” Abubakar warned. “Some of these NWC members are acting in clear support of Wike’s agenda to weaken the PDP through endless litigation and internal sabotage.”
He insisted that dragging the party’s internal processes to court, particularly by factions in Abia and Imo States, was a betrayal of collective trust and an affront to PDP’s constitutional values of unity and internal resolution of disputes.
“The national convention is the PDP’s highest decision-making platform. It is essential for charting a new path for the party as we prepare for future electoral contests. Any attempt to derail it is a disservice to our members nationwide,” Abubakar stated.
He urged party stakeholders to reject the alleged interference by Wike’s camp and to rally behind the Acting National Chairman, Umar Damagum, and the various convention planning committees, who he said are working tirelessly to deliver a transparent and inclusive convention in Ibadan.
Abubakar didn’t hold back in addressing what he described as “external propaganda” from former party members. He specifically took aim at ex-PDP National Youth Leader, Udey-Okoye, who recently defected to the All Progressives Congress (APC), accusing him of fueling misinformation.
“Once you’ve left the party, focus on your new political home,” Abubakar advised. “Spreading lies and propaganda from the outside will not strengthen democracy, and certainly won’t destabilize the PDP.”
The group called on aggrieved party members to set aside personal ambitions and allow the party’s internal mechanisms to resolve disputes. Abubakar stressed that the future of the PDP depends on unity and collective focus—not court battles and factional infighting.
“Our message is simple: let the will of the majority prevail. The Ibadan convention must hold, and no one—no matter how powerful—should be allowed to sabotage it from within,” he concluded.
He expressed confidence that the PDP would emerge stronger, more united, and ready to reclaim its role as the country’s leading opposition force after the convention.
