PDP Crisis Deepens as Wike’s Camp Rejects Zoning Talks with Makinde, Diri

The crisis within the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) ahead of its National Elective Convention in November has taken a new turn, as loyalists of the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, have rejected the outcome of a Southern zoning consultation meeting held in Lagos.

The meeting, led by Bayelsa State Governor Douye Diri, was part of efforts to harmonize positions on zoning key National Working Committee (NWC) offices between the North and South. However, Wike’s camp dismissed the gathering, describing it as “unconsulted, unrepresentative, and not binding on the PDP family across Southern Nigeria.”

In a joint statement, PDP chairmen from Imo, Abia, Cross River, Akwa Ibom, and Rivers states, alongside National Assembly leaders and other stakeholders, disowned the Lagos talks. They insisted the exercise was convened secretly and without broad consultation.

Meanwhile, sources within the PDP’s National Working Committee revealed that the PDP Governors’ Forum will meet this weekend in Gusau, Zamfara State, to deliberate on critical issues threatening the smooth conduct of the Ibadan convention.

The 44-member zoning committee, chaired by Governor Diri, is expected to present its recommendations at the 102nd National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting on Monday. The NEC will decide whether to adopt, reject, or amend the committee’s proposed zoning formula.

While Wike’s loyalists push to stall the convention over unresolved leadership disputes in the **South-South and South