BREAKING: PDP Splits Into Three Factions [DETAILS]

BREAKING: PDP Splits Into Three Factions [DETAILS]

Fresh divisions have deepened within the (PDP) following a recent ruling by the on the party’s leadership crisis, with influential stakeholders now aligning themselves into three distinct factions amid efforts to resolve the lingering dispute.

At the centre of the latest rift are , governor of Oyo State, and , governor of Bauchi State, who appear to hold opposing views on whether the party should pursue reconciliation with the camp loyal to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, .

While Makinde and several members of the party’s (BoT) have thrown their weight behind a reconciliation initiative aimed at ending the protracted leadership battle, Bala Mohammed is reportedly opposed to the move, insisting he is unwilling to work with the Wike faction.

Party insiders say the disagreement has effectively split the PDP into three blocs: one aligned with Makinde and the BoT supporting reconciliation, another loyal to Wike and his allies, and a third faction led by Bala Mohammed that remains skeptical about reaching any compromise with the FCT minister’s camp.

Origins of the Crisis

The leadership crisis rocking the PDP dates back to the controversial national convention held in on November 15, 2025. During the convention, delegates elected (SAN) and other members of the party’s National Working Committee (NWC) for a four-year tenure.

Prior to the convention, PDP governors had reportedly backed the process and supervised the transition of leadership from former Acting National Chairman to Turaki before Damagum’s tenure officially expired on December 9, 2025.

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However, the outcome of the convention was soon challenged by a rival faction within the party loyal to Wike. The group rejected the legitimacy of the Ibadan convention and moved swiftly to establish an alternative leadership structure.

On December 8, 2025, the Wike-aligned faction constituted a 13-member caretaker committee and appointed as Acting National Chairman, while was named Acting National Secretary with a 60-day mandate to oversee party affairs.

The development triggered intense tensions within the party, as both factions claimed legitimacy and attempted to assert control over the PDP’s national secretariat at in .

Secretariat Crisis and Police Intervention

The rivalry escalated dramatically on November 18, 2025, when supporters of the competing factions attempted to hold separate meetings at the party’s headquarters on the same day. The confrontation resulted in chaos and physical clashes between loyalists of the opposing groups.

The situation eventually forced the intervention of the , which sealed the party’s national secretariat to prevent further breakdown of law and order. Since then, the premises have remained closed, further complicating the management of party affairs.

Both factions subsequently approached the (INEC), seeking official recognition as the legitimate leadership of the PDP. However, the electoral body declined to recognize either camp, citing the ongoing legal disputes and internal wrangling within the party.

The refusal by INEC pushed both sides to the courts, triggering a series of legal battles that have kept the party embroiled in crisis for months.

Appeal Court Judgment Changes Dynamics

The leadership tussle took a new turn on March 9, 2026, when the Court of Appeal delivered a significant ruling that altered the political calculations within the party.

In a judgment delivered by a panel led by Justice Mohammed Danjuma, the appellate court affirmed an earlier decision by the in Abuja which nullified the Ibadan convention that produced Turaki and other members of the NWC.

According to the court, the convention violated provisions of the Electoral Act, the Nigerian Constitution, and the PDP’s own constitution. The court therefore declared the entire process invalid, effectively voiding the election of the party’s national leadership.

In a related development, another panel of the Court of Appeal sitting in Ibadan and led by Justice Biobele Georgewill granted permission for all parties involved in the dispute to explore an out-of-court settlement.

Justice Georgewill adjourned the matter indefinitely and urged the factions to consider dialogue as a way forward, particularly in view of the timetable already released by INEC for the 2027 general elections.

Makinde, BoT Back Reconciliation

Following the appellate court’s directive encouraging dialogue, sources within the party revealed that Makinde and several senior figures at an expanded meeting of the PDP Board of Trustees agreed to pursue a reconciliation initiative.

The meeting reportedly resolved that representatives from the rival factions should form a committee comprising legal experts and respected party leaders. The committee would be tasked with drafting the framework for a peace agreement that could resolve the leadership dispute.

Once finalized, the proposed agreement would be submitted to the Court of Appeal for endorsement, thereby making it binding on all parties involved.

Supporters of the initiative believe the move could restore stability within the PDP and allow the party to refocus on strengthening its structure ahead of the next general elections.

Bala Mohammed’s Opposition

Despite the push for reconciliation, Bala Mohammed has reportedly resisted the peace initiative, expressing deep reservations about working with the Wike faction.

Sources within the party disclosed that the Bauchi governor declined to attend Wednesday’s expanded Board of Trustees meeting, largely due to his opposition to the proposed reconciliation arrangement.

Party insiders say efforts are still ongoing to persuade Mohammed to reconsider his stance and support the unity process.

His resistance, however, has intensified concerns that the PDP could fragment further if a consensus is not reached soon.

BoT Leadership Speaks

Speaking after the meeting in Abuja, the Chairman of the PDP Board of Trustees, , confirmed that the party leadership was working to reconcile aggrieved stakeholders in line with the Court of Appeal’s recommendation.

Wabara noted that the prolonged leadership disputes and court cases had taken a serious toll on the party’s stability and public perception.

According to him, the BoT had resolved to take advantage of the court’s window for alternative dispute resolution in order to restore unity within the PDP.

He also revealed that a special committee would soon be constituted to engage legal teams, political leaders, and other stakeholders in the reconciliation process.

Wike Responds to Peace Moves

Reacting to the reconciliation effort, Wike stated that his camp remained open to dialogue but emphasized that any peace initiative must be genuine and based on clear proposals.

The FCT minister also dismissed claims that his role in the administration of the ruling (APC) had compromised his loyalty to the PDP.

Wike maintained that he remained a committed member of the party despite serving in the APC-led federal government.

He further insisted that the PDP’s planned national convention scheduled for March 29 and 30 should go ahead as planned, rejecting suggestions that another caretaker committee should be established to manage the party’s affairs.

Call for Unity Ahead of 2027

Amid the growing divisions, Senate Minority Whip has appealed to all factions within the party to make compromises in the interest of the PDP’s survival.

Moro stressed that unity within the party was essential as political parties across the country begin preparations for the 2027 general elections.

Political observers warn that unless the PDP resolves its internal crisis quickly, the prolonged divisions could weaken its ability to function effectively as Nigeria’s main opposition party.

For now, the fate of the PDP appears tied to the success or failure of the proposed reconciliation effort—an initiative that could either reunite the party’s fractured leadership or deepen the divisions threatening its future.