Wike’s Camp Demands Ignite Fresh PDP Feud

The crisis rocking the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) deepened on Tuesday as governors elected on the party’s platform, the National Chairman, Umar Damagum, and other leaders vowed that the National Elective Convention scheduled for November 15 and 16 in Ibadan, Oyo State, would go on despite conditions set by the camp of the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike.

Speaking in Abuja during the inauguration of the 119-member National Convention Planning Committee chaired by Adamawa State Governor, Ahmadu Fintiri, the Chairman of the PDP Governors’ Forum and Bauchi State Governor, Bala Mohammed, declared that the governors would not be intimidated.

In a pointed response to Wike’s camp, which had issued a statement Monday night, Mohammed insisted that the party would not succumb to “arrogance and impunity,” warning that disciplinary measures await those undermining the PDP’s collective interest.

“The PDP is not a gathering of cowards, and we will not allow a faction of fools to derail this process,” he said.

Similarly, the Chairman of the PDP Board of Trustees, Adolphus Wabara, represented by Secretary Ahmed Makarfi, stressed that both northern and southern leaders are free to micro-zone party positions. He clarified that any qualified member of the party retains the right to contest, regardless of internal arrangements.

The PDP has been battling internal wrangling in recent years, culminating in plans for the November convention to elect a new National Working Committee and reposition the party ahead of future elections.