JUST IN : PDP govs dare Wike, issue major warning on convention

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Governors’ Forum has sent a stern warning to Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister Nyesom Wike and other party leaders not to obstruct preparations for the party’s national convention scheduled for November 15, 2025, in Ibadan, Oyo State.

In a communiqué issued at the end of its 7th meeting in Gusau, Zamfara State, on Saturday, August 23, 2025, the governors pledged full support for the decisions of the party’s 101st National Executive Committee (NEC) taken in July, affirming that the convention will go ahead as planned.

“The Forum reaffirms its full commitment to the resolutions of the 101st National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting of July 2025 regarding the November 15 National Convention.It urges members to resist all attempts to derail the convention by anti-party forces; but to see the PDP as the only democratic institution and viable alternative for restoring Nigeria along the path of good governance and national development,” the communiqué stated.

The meeting, chaired by Governor Bala Mohammed of Bauchi State, reviewed national security concerns, threats to democratic institutions, and preparations for the Ibadan convention. The governors praised PDP members for standing firm against defections and political distractions, insisting that the party remains a credible alternative for Nigerians seeking better governance.

The forum also accused the ruling APC of divisive policies that, according to them, have worsened hardship across the country.

Meanwhile, Wike, appearing on Channels Television’s Politics Today on August 19, 2025, renewed his criticism of the PDP National Working Committee, rejecting the zoning panel headed by Bayelsa State Governor Douye Diri and disputing the recognition of Ali Odefa as National Vice Chairman (South East).

He warned that tensions could escalate if the party refused to acknowledge the zonal congress that produced his ally, Chief Dan Orbih, as National Vice Chairman for the South-South.

“Well, it is over for now. A few things are remaining, and I have told them that they must do it. Our congress was held in Calabar, and there’s nothing anybody can tell us. If they want to have another round of crisis, so be it. In that congress, Chief Dan Orbih emerged as the National Vice Chairman. They never wanted the congress to be held, but congress was held.The so-called acting national chairman of the party wrote a letter to INEC after congress was held that the congress has been postponed. There is no two ways about it. The National Vice Chairman of PDP South-South is Chief Dan Orbih. If they don’t agree, that’s another round of crisis,” Wike said.

Wike’s fallout with his former G5 ally, Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State, has further deepened divisions in the party. The FCT minister, who serves in the APC-led federal cabinet, continues to deny accusations of anti-party activities.