Nigeria’s main opposition party, the Peoples Democratic Party, is teetering on the brink of a major split as over 3,000 delegates converge on Ibadan, Oyo State, for a contentious national elective convention fixed for November 15 and 16, 2025.
What should ordinarily serve as a unifying moment for the party has instead become the flashpoint of an escalating power struggle between two rival camps, each claiming legitimacy and threatening the survival of the opposition platform.
At the heart of the crisis is a battle for control between the camp led by Ambassador Umar Iliya Damagum, the party’s acting National Chairman, and a faction aligned with Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike. The Damagum group commands the backing of influential party organs including the PDP Governors Forum, the Board of Trustees, and the Forum of State Chairmen.
Despite being outnumbered, the Wike faction has demonstrated considerable political muscle. In a stunning move two weeks ago, the group conducted its own leadership election and installed a parallel chairman, directly challenging the authority of the PDP governors.
The dispute took a dramatic turn when Justice James Omotosho of the Federal High Court in Abuja issued a ruling on Friday, November 1, restraining the party from proceeding with the Ibadan convention. The court also barred the Independent National Electoral Commission from monitoring the event, citing the party’s failure to comply with constitutional requirements for notifying INEC of the convention.
In response to the Abuja court order, the Damagum-controlled National Working Committee moved swiftly to suspend four national officers for one month over allegations of anti-party activities. Those affected include Senator Samuel Anyanwu, the National Secretary; Kamaldeen Ajibade, the National Legal Adviser; Umar Bature, the National Organising Secretary; and Okechukwu Onuoha, the Deputy National Legal Adviser.
The suspended officers struck back within 24 hours. Convening an emergency meeting in Abuja, they announced the suspension of Damagum and the entire National Working Committee. They also named Abdulrahman Mohammed, the party’s Deputy National Vice Chairman for the North Central zone, as the new acting National Chairman.
The legal battle shifted to Oyo State last week when Justice Ladiran Akintola of the Oyo State High Court granted an ex parte order authorizing the PDP to proceed with the convention in Ibadan. The court also directed INEC to attend and monitor the exercise.
With two conflicting court orders now in play, the Damagum faction is forging ahead with convention preparations while the Wike camp insists the exercise is illegal and will not stand.
A senior official at the PDP national secretariat, speaking on condition of anonymity, confirmed that preparations are in full swing for the arrival of thousands of delegates. “More than 3,000 delegates are participating. We have both super delegates and elected delegates,” the official explained.
He dismissed claims by opponents that some states have been disenfranchised due to incomplete congresses. “The PDP has many former this and former that in every state. Super delegates are former governors, former ministers, and other party leaders. Those saying states are disenfranchised are only interested in destroying the party,” he said.
Meanwhile, the Board of Trustees has established a six-member reconciliation committee headed by Ambassador Hassan Adamu to broker peace between the warring factions. The committee, which includes representatives from all six geopolitical zones, has been mandated to report back to the BoT on Tuesday, November 12.
In a statement, BoT Chairman and former Senate President, Senator Adolphus Wabara, expressed solidarity with the Damagum-led National Working Committee and commended the governors and convention organizing committee for stabilizing the party. He also welcomed the Oyo State High Court ruling, describing it as “a victory for democracy, rule of law, and political development.”
However, Minister Wike has rejected the Oyo court order, arguing that an ex parte order cannot override a substantive judgment. “An ex parte order lasts only seven to 14 days. Is the Ibadan High Court an appeal court? A judgment is superior to an interim order. INEC has been ordered not to attend, so what exactly are they going to hold?” Wike stated.
The Anyanwu faction has also announced the suspension of the Ibadan convention, pending the determination of an appeal filed against the Federal High Court judgment.
As both camps dig in their heels, concerns are mounting about the future of Nigeria’s foremost opposition party. The internal turmoil, which began after the party’s defeat in the 2023 general elections, has been fueled by disagreements over leadership, zoning, and control of party structures.
Wike’s appointment as FCT Minister in President Bola Tinubu’s cabinet has further deepened the crisis, with many accusing him of working against the party’s interests. The former Rivers State governor was a prominent member of the G-5 governors who opposed the party’s 2023 presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar.
As the November 15 deadline approaches, all eyes are on Ibadan to see whether the convention will hold and which faction will emerge victorious in the battle for the soul of the PDP.