Former governors Samuel Ortom (Benue) and Ayo Fayose (Ekiti) have thrown their support behind the Nyesom Wike-led wing of the Peoples Democratic Party’s (PDP) National Working Committee, exacerbating the party’s worsening crisis.
This development occurs as supporters of Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde and other governors gather to remobilize support and fight the Wike camp ahead of the party’s national convention.
Ortom and Fayose issued separate comments on Sunday, endorsing the PDP group led by National Vice Chairman (North Central), Abdulrahman Mohammed, and blaming the acting National Chairman, Umar Damagum, for the party’s increasing internal conflict.
Despite preparations for its National Elective Convention on November 15 and 16 in Ibadan, Oyo State, the PDP is still embroiled in internal squabbles about structures, zonal leadership, and convention procedures.
Wike’s allies have accused Damagum’s leadership of bias and incompetence, citing unsolved conflicts in the South-South zone and an alleged disregard for micro-zoning principles.
Tensions rose on Friday, when the Federal High Court in Abuja issued an interim injunction barring the party from having its convention until it complied with its constitution and the Electoral Act.
Justice James Omotosho ordered the PDP to postpone all convention preparations until further notice, deepening the party’s divisions.
On Saturday, the Damagum-led NWC suspended National Secretary Samuel Anyanwu, National Legal Adviser Kamaldeen Ajibade (SAN), Deputy Legal Adviser Okechukwu Osuoha, and National Organizing Secretary Umar Bature for alleged anti-party conduct.
In a fast response, Anyanwu’s opposing group suspended Damagum, National Publicity Secretary Debo Ologunagba, Deputy National Chairman (South) Taofeek Arapaja, and others for suspected financial fraud and incompetence.
In response to the turmoil, former Benue governor Ortom blamed the PDP’s breakdown on bad leadership and exclusionary tactics.
Ortom, a member of the party’s Board of Trustees, said the leadership ignored his concerns about the importance of inclusivity and reconciliation.
“Democracy thrives when people of diverse views come together for the common good,” Ortom said.
“Unfortunately, a few individuals have attempted to run the party without recourse to collective consultation.”
He described Abdulrahman Mohammed’s appointment as acting National Chairman as “a fresh opportunity to rebuild trust and heal internal wounds” and urged all party organs to embrace reconciliation.
Similarly, former Ekiti governor Fayose supported Damagum’s suspension by the Mohammed-led faction, characterizing it as “a necessary step to rescue the party from total collapse.”
Speaking with the press in Ado Ekiti on Sunday, Fayose said, “The PDP is in a hopeless situation. The Damagum-led NWC are undertakers—they have come to bury the party. But perhaps Abdulrahman can be the doctor that revives it.”
He accused Damagum of incompetence and arrogance, comparing his situation to that of previous National Chairman Iyorchia Ayu.
“Damagum will go the way of Ayu,” Fayose said. “He manipulated the process to remain in office and caused widespread confusion. We will support Abdulrahman to reposition the PDP, correct the state chapters, and prepare for the convention.”
Meanwhile, sources close to Governor Makinde told The PUNCH that the Oyo bloc and other governors are meeting to plan ways to reverse the court injunction and regain control of the party’s direction.
A source said, “We are not folding our hands. We have the majority, and discussions are ongoing on how to appeal the judgment and keep preparations for the convention alive.”
Former presidential candidate Gbenga Olawepo-Hashim criticized the court ruling that halted the PDP convention, calling it a “calculated move to weaken the opposition and weaponize the judiciary.”
He claimed that both external and internal pressures are being used to stifle the PDP and establish a one-party regime.
However, he assured that “true democrats will resist attempts to destroy multiparty democracy in Nigeria.”
In Osun State, Senator Adenigba Fadahunsi, who just defected from the PDP to the All Progressives Congress, claimed that the party was “as good as dead.”
Speaking from his house in Ilase-Ijesa, Fadahunsi stated, “We did not desert the PDP; the PDP abandoned itself.” The party has died, and those who remain should not sink with the ship.”
He did, however, praise President Bola Tinubu’s economic measures, expressing confidence that they will have favorable consequences in due course.
