By Luminous Jannamike, Abuja
BARELY a week to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) national convention in Ibadan, state chairmen of the party have thrown their weight behind Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, expressing full confidence in his leadership and direction.
The chairmen voiced optimism that ongoing efforts to destabilise the party ahead of the 2027 general elections would fail, describing such attempts as futile and contrary to the PDP’s collective interest.
The meeting, held under the banner of the Forum of PDP State Chairmen and led by Edo State chairman, Hon. Tony Aziegbemi, brought together state party leaders and Governor Makinde at the Oyo State Lodge in Abuja.
Although officially tagged a ‘courtesy visit,’ sources said the gathering was a calculated political move; intended to demonstrate solidarity with Makinde and strengthen strategic alliances ahead of the convention.
“This fight you see within the PDP isn’t just an internal disagreement; it’s a battle between darkness and light. What those people want is to cripple the PDP and hand the APC a free ride in 2027. But that plan will not succeed,” Aziegbemi declared after the meeting.
Meanwhile, tensions are rising within the PDP as rival blocs: one led by Governor Makinde and the other by the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, vie for control ahead of the 2027 elections.
The two camps are at odds over key decisions shaping the upcoming national convention, slated for November 15–16 in Ibadan.
Insiders say the Wike-aligned bloc is pushing for a postponement until several disputes are resolved, including the recognition of the Dan Orbih-led South-South Zonal Working Committee, the status of expelled National Vice Chairman (South-East), Chief Ali Odefa, and the reconduct of state congresses in Anambra, Ebonyi, and other states.
At the heart of the conflict also lies the question of leadership legitimacy, particularly the continued tenure of Ambassador Umar Damagum as National Chairman following his suspension by the Wike-bloc, and the larger struggle to reposition the PDP as a credible opposition force before 2027.
While the chairmen described their visit as an appreciation tour to thank Governor Makinde for his stabilising role, it was also seen as a clear show of loyalty to the governor’s bloc, now widely regarded as the party’s dominant power centre.
Sources close to the meeting said there is growing concern that certain interests within the party are deliberately fanning division to weaken the PDP’s strength ahead of 2027, an outcome that could play directly into the hands of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
By framing the internal wrangling as part of a larger political battle leading to 2027, the forum of chairmen has effectively recast what might have seemed a routine leadership dispute into a symbolic fight over the PDP’s survival and direction.
Despite the firm tone of the meeting, Aziegbemi struck a conciliatory note toward the suspended chairmen of Imo and Abia States who are aligned with the Wike-bloc, reaffirming the forum’s support for the reconciliation drive led by the party’s factional Board of Trustees (BoT) Chairman, Senator Adolphus Wabara.
“The door to reconciliation can never be closed. Those guys are our friends, our brothers. We will continue to see them as such.” Aziegbemi said.
The Ibadan Test
The forthcoming convention in Ibadan represents the PDP’s biggest internal test since the 2023 general elections. For Governor Makinde, hosting the event offers both an opportunity to cement his reputation as a stabilising force and a challenge that could expose him to factional pressures.
Party insiders say the chairmen’s show of support was meant to reassure Makinde of nationwide backing ahead of what are expected to be tough negotiations in Ibadan.
Yet not everyone is pleased. Leaders aligned with the Wike faction have privately criticised what they call the ‘overreach’ of the governor’s bloc; a recurring source of friction within the PDP.
For some party members, thpolie chairmen’s meeting was less about courtesy and more about strategic consolidation ahead of the convention.
Their underlying message, that the PDP’s internal crisis is part of a broader attempt to undermine opposition politics in Nigeria, appears aimed at rallying unity and public sympathy before 2027.
“We are with the governors and the National Working Committee to stand on the right side of history. The evil plans of those who want this country to remain where it is will never succeed,” Aziegbemi added.
Whether this renewed optimism translates into real party stability remains to be seen. But for now, the PDP’s state chairmen have drawn a clear line, casting themselves not merely as administrators, but as defenders of a party fighting to stay relevant in the battle for 2027.
Makinde stuff 8-11-25
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