2027 Power Battle: Wike–Makinde Feud Puts PDP Convention at Risk

The Peoples Democratic Party’s much-anticipated national convention, scheduled to hold on November 16 in Ibadan, Oyo State, is facing fresh uncertainty as the rift between Federal Capital Territory Minister Nyesom Wike and Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde deepens.

Wike, a former ally of Makinde, is reportedly working against the convention, threatening to derail preparations. Party insiders link his moves to unresolved disputes and his growing clashes with Makinde and other stakeholders.

Reacting to the development, the PDP leadership has issued a strong warning to Wike. The party’s National Publicity Secretary, Debo Ologunagba, told journalists in Abuja on Wednesday that no individual would be allowed to sabotage collective decisions. He stressed that disciplinary action would be taken under the party’s constitution if Wike persisted in undermining its interests.

Some members of the PDP National Executive Committee—including Deputy National Youth Leader Timothy Osadolor and former National Vice Chairman (South-West) Eddy Olafeso—also criticized Wike’s stance. They accused him of exceeding his authority and vowed to resist attempts to block the Ibadan convention.

According to them, the party is focused on rebuilding after months of internal crises that triggered major defections. Among those who left the PDP for the APC and the African Democratic Congress were its 2019 and 2023 presidential candidate Atiku Abubakar, his running mate and former Delta State governor Ifeanyi Okowa, as well as governors Sheriff Oborevwori (Delta) and Umo Eno (Akwa Ibom).

With the Independent National Electoral Commission already involved in supervising the convention, PDP leaders insist the exercise will go on as planned—despite the growing feud between Wike and Makinde.