The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) faces worsening internal turmoil as former governors Samuel Ortom and Ayo Fayose publicly backed the faction led by Nyesom Wike.
Their move comes as Governor Seyi Makinde’s camp and allied governors regroup to counter Wike’s growing influence ahead of the November 15-16 national convention in Ibadan.
Ortom and Fayose declared support for the faction headed by Abdulrahman Mohammed, the PDP National Vice Chairman (North Central), blaming acting National Chairman Umar Damagum for the party’s instability.
The PDP crisis deepens following a ruling by the Federal High Court in Abuja, which suspended preparations for the party’s convention.
Justice James Omotosho ordered the party to halt all activities until it complied with its constitution and the Electoral Act.
Amid the leadership tussle, the Damagum-led NWC suspended National Secretary Samuel Anyanwu and National Legal Adviser Kamaldeen Ajibade for alleged anti-party activities. In retaliation, the Mohammed faction counter-suspended Damagum and other executives for alleged financial misconduct.
PDP Board of Trustees member Samuel Ortom blamed exclusionary politics for the unrest.
“Democracy thrives when people of diverse views come together for the common good,” Ortom said.
He described Mohammed’s emergence as acting chairman as a chance to rebuild trust and promote reconciliation.
Ayo Fayose also backed the suspension of Damagum, calling it a “necessary step to rescue the party.”
“The NWC led by Damagum are undertakers, they have come to bury the party,” Fayose said. “But Abdulrahman might be the one to bring it back to life.”
Ahead of the national convention, Makinde’s bloc and allied governors are meeting to challenge the court order and reclaim control of the party.
Former presidential candidate Gbenga Olawepo-Hashim denounced the ruling as “a move to weaken the opposition,” accusing both internal sabotage and external political pressure of fueling the PDP crisis.
