The twelve governors who were chosen on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) have taken action to regain control over the daily activities of the party.
It is understood that the decision was made in reaction to growing agitation among party stakeholders for the PDP to be repositioned in response to Nigeria’s unfolding political realignments.
During their first in-person meeting in 2025, held in Asaba, Delta State, on January 31st, 2025, the governors came to the conclusion that reshaping the PDP’s leadership would be more beneficial for the party’s objectives.
The governors agreed that it was crucial to free the party from personality cults, according to a party insider who spoke to Vanguard under anonymity.
The governors unanimously agreed, according to the source, to repair the party’s reputation after years of internal conflict and the power struggle between former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and Minister of the Federal Capital Territory Nyesom Wike.
Acting National Chairman Amb. Umar Damagum was reportedly cautioned by the governors to support the party’s majority interests or face expulsion.
The source went on to say that the party must act from a position of strength even if it chooses to form an agreement with others.
In the post-meeting communiqué, the governors made their position clear.
1. They argued that, in accordance with an Appeal Court decision, Sunday Udeh-Okoye should be sworn in as National Secretary by the National Working Committee (NWC).
2. They supported the postponing of the South-South Zonal Congress, even though Wike’s supporters had already made plans for it.
A member of the National Executive Committee (NEC), who wished to remain unnamed, claimed that Wike’s choice to host the contentious congress was a direct challenge to the governors, especially those from the South-South.
According to the source, they awaited the reaction of Damagum and the NWC. Wike’s camp claimed to have elected Chief Dan Orbih as National Vice Chairman at the Calabar gathering, but Damagum rejected it, sending a strong message.
In response, a seven-member caretaker committee was established by the PDP leadership to manage the party’s operations in the South-South.
In his Thursday inauguration of the South-South PDP Zonal Caretaker Committee, Damagum rejected Wike’s demand for a congress.
He stated: “I would like to take this occasion to clarify that, from the PDP’s perspective, there hasn’t been an election in the South-South.
The zonal committee’s term is over, and we still have a few weeks till the next zonal congress.
We felt the need to establish this caretaker committee in the interim.
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Nyesom Wike continues to be a significant political force within the PDP, especially in the South-South, even though he was Minister of the FCT in an APC-led administration.
His influence in the area was strengthened by the considerable attention he received for attending the Calabar event.
Wike and his allies will not take the rejection of their congress lightly, according to a party stalwart who was aware of the situation.
Former PDP National Publicity Secretary Kola Ologbondiyan, meanwhile, commended the NWC’s recent moves, stating that they were a start in the right direction for the party’s rehabilitation.
“I firmly believe that our party is headed toward recovery based on the few actions that have been made thus far.
“The caretaker committee established to get ready for new South-South congresses is a positive step,” he stated.
