A new National Chairman, Kabiru Turaki, was elected, but Wike’s faction, led by acting Chairman Muhammed Abdulrahman, retaliated by expelling Governors Seyi Makinde (Oyo) and Bala Muhammed (Bauchi). Tensions escalated into violence when factions clashed at the PDP’s Abuja headquarters. Despite the convention, INEC’s website still lists Damagun and expelled Secretary Samuel Anyanwu as party leaders. INEC’s absence from the convention, according to Wike’s camp, invalidates the results.
The Turaki faction insists INEC must recognize its leadership, while Wike’s group dismisses these claims. Legal battles further complicate the crisis, with conflicting court orders on the convention’s validity. Some PDP leaders warn that prolonged infighting could prevent the party from fielding candidates in 2027, as electoral rules require joint signatures from the National Chairman and Secretary for candidate submissions. Calls for reconciliation and a caretaker committee have been ignored, with both factions digging in.
Elders are attempting mediation, but accusations persist—particularly against Wike, whom some accuse of sabotaging the PDP to benefit the ruling APC. While the Turaki camp asserts it is the sole legitimate authority, others fear parallel candidate lists or disqualification if the crisis persists. Despite assurances that courts will resolve the dispute, the PDP’s unity—and its 2027 prospects—remain in jeopardy.
The party’s secretariat remains barricaded by police, symbolizing a stalemate that threatens its future electoral viability.