The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) is facing a deepening crisis at the state level, as the Tanimu Turaki-led National Working Committee (NWC) and supporters of FCT Minister Nyesom Wike, operating through the National Caretaker Committee, clash over control of state and zonal chapters.
Daily Sun reports that at least 20 state chapters and three zones are currently split, with rival factions running parallel structures while vying for influence ahead of the 2027 general election.
Following the PDP National Convention in Ibadan, the Turaki-led NWC established caretaker committees for Rivers, Enugu, Delta, Akwa Ibom, Cross River, and Zamfara states, pending local congresses.
In contrast, the Wike-backed caretaker committee recently dissolved State Working Committees (SWCs) in 14 states, including Borno, Bauchi, Oyo, Zamfara, Yobe, Ekiti, Bayelsa, Enugu, Ebonyi, Anambra, Delta, Taraba, Kano, and Lagos, and scheduled new congresses for January 9, 2026. The faction has already announced caretaker committees for Ebonyi, Oyo, and Lagos.
PDP National Publicity Secretary Ini Ememobong told Daily Sun that most party members support the Turaki-led NWC. He described the rival faction’s activities as inconsequential, stressing that the NWC is preparing congresses in states without substantive executives.
“They know what they are doing, but without power, their actions are meaningless. They are merely setting up structures to show the President they are in control. True PDP members preparing for elections are aligned with the Turaki-led administration,” Ememobong said.
Meanwhile, caretaker committee member Okechukwu Osuoha confirmed that they have formally informed the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) about the planned congresses in the 14 states. He stressed that the National Caretaker Committee is the legitimate leadership of the PDP.
“One of our mandates is to hold congresses in the 14 states where none have been conducted. The court affirmed this. We have notified INEC, and after these congresses, we will hold a national convention to elect officers. Any other claims are illegal,” Osuoha stated.
The crisis escalated following the Ibadan convention, which elected Turaki’s NWC, expelled Wike, former Ekiti governor Ayo Fayose, Senator Samuel Anyanwu, Kamaldeen Ajibade, Umar Bature, among others, and dissolved SWCs in six states.
In retaliation, the Wike camp, which described the convention as a “jamboree,” expelled Bauchi Governor Bala Mohammed, Oyo Governor Seyi Makinde, Zamfara Governor Lawal Dauda, Umar Damagum, Adolphis Wabara, and Chief Olabode George, and formed a 13-member National Caretaker Committee led by Abdulraham Mohammed for 60 days.
The PDP has been embroiled in internal disputes since the last general election, with tensions between the PDP governors—led by Bala Mohammed and Seyi Makinde—and Wike over control of party structures. The ongoing crisis has weakened the opposition, prompting defections of governors, National Assembly members, and other party leaders.
