Previously Nigeria's leading political party, the People's Democratic Party has experienced a gradual loss of influence due to internal conflicts, struggles for leadership, and large-scale defectors that have transformed the nation's political scene, writes ISMAEEL UTHMAN.
In In December 2008, the National President of the People's Democratic Party, Chief Vincent Ogbulafor, stated that the party intended to remain in power for six decades.
"The PDP is a party open to everyone, and it aims to govern Nigeria for the next 60 years. I'm not concerned if Nigeria turns into a single-party system. It's possible, and the PDP has the capacity to encompass everything," he stated.
This was an era during which the PDP held around 28 governors and enjoyed a strong presence in the National Assembly as well as among state legislators, after the controversial 2007 general election.
Four years prior, with the establishment of the Fourth Republic in 1999, the PDP elected President Olusegun Obasanjo along with 21 state governors.
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However, it didn’t take long for Ogbulafor’s forecast to be like a candle flickering in the breeze. The PDP started experiencing difficulties five years later during the Nigeria Governors' Forum controversy.
In May 2013, the NGF conducted an election, resulting in Governor Rotimi Amaechi from Rivers State being reappointed as chairman following his victory over former Governor Jonah Jang of Plateau State with a score of 19 to 16.
Prior to the election, Amaechi and several governors were at odds with President Goodluck Jonathan, whereas Jang's faction received his support. This was the time when "16 is greater than 19" dominated within the PDP.
In a sudden development, the Jang faction established a breakaway group with its own secretariat in Abuja, conducting simultaneous gatherings. The faction received recognition from Jonathan, whereas Amaechi's team was regarded as defiant.
On December 9, 2013, five PDP governors — Aliyu Wamakko (Sokoto), Murtala Nyako (Adamawa), Abdulfatah Ahmed (Kwara), Rabiu Kwankwaso (Kano) and Amaechi — left the party and joined the newly formed All Progressives Congress.
This signified the start of the decline of the continent's most renowned political party.
Another significant setback for the PDP occurred when Obasanjo left the party and destroyed his membership card before reporters.
Nevertheless, former military head of state, General Ibrahim Babangida (retired), revealed that the PDP was conceived by former military officers, stating on March 11, 2017, that the party might continue to govern for 60 years provided it addresses internal issues.
Nevertheless, instead of progressing, the PDP moved from one crisis to another, with each causing significant damage to the party's political influence.
The 2023 primary elections and the G-5 uprising
Move ahead to the period before the 2023 presidential primaries, which highlighted significant internal conflicts within the PDP.
Although former Vice President Atiku Abubakar remained determined to run for president, several PDP officials and state governors within the G-5 group felt that it was now time for someone from the South to become leader following eight years of leadership by the late President Muhammadu Buhari. The G-5, headed by Nyesom Wike (from Rivers State) and Seyi Makinde (from Oyo State), were against Atiku's final selection as their candidate.
Wike, who aimed to be Atiku's running mate, was surpassed in favor of Ifeanyi Okowa, the former governor of Delta State, an outcome that intensified the G-5's complaints.
The internal conflicts caused the party to shift from being a united group into different groups, weakening its capacity to run a coordinated campaign before the 2023 elections. Wike and other G-5 members supported President Bola Tinubu's rise as an act of retaliation against Atiku.
In an attempt to bridge divisions among conflicting groups, the PDP dismissed its National Chairman, Iyorchia Ayu, and appointed an interim National Chairman, Umar Damagum, seen as a supporter of Wike.
However, Damagum's allegiance faced repeated challenges throughout the effort to dismiss the party's National Secretary, Sam Anyanwu, who remained firmly committed to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory.
The revolt began when the party’s South-East zone nominated Sunday Ude-Okoye to replace Anyanwu after he contested the 2023 Imo State governorship election. The PDP Governors’ Forum insisted Anyanwu must be removed, while Wike and others backed the embattled secretary. The ensuing court and internal battles further fractured the National Working Committee and the Board of Trustees of the PDP.
Controversial convention, expulsion wars
The situation reached its peak on November 25, 2025, as the Damagum camp, backed by four PDP state governors, held a nationwide conference against the instructions of two distinct Federal High Court rulings.
The gathering, which established a fresh National Working Committee headed by a new National President, Tanimu Turaki, led to the removal of Wike; Anyanwu; Kamaldeen Ajibade (SAN); ex-Ekiti State Governor, Ayo Fayose; Austin Nwachukwu; and many more due to claims of disloyalty towards the party.
However, the Wike faction also took an opposing action, declaring the removal of Governors Seyi Makinde (Oyo), Bala Muhammad (Bauchi), and Dauda Lawal (Zamfara); PDP Board of Trustees Chairperson, Adolphus Wabara; former National Deputy Chairman, Bode George; and Turaki.
The invalidation by INEC and the loss of credibility
Nevertheless, the Independent National Electoral Commission dismissed the Ibadan gathering and the NWC under Turaki's leadership from the PDP, referring to legal procedures.
On December 22, 2025, an official communication bearing the signature of its Secretary, Dr. Rose Oriaran-Anthony, stated that two rulings issued by the Federal High Court in Abuja—Case Number FHC/ABJ/CS/2120/2025 handed down on October 31, 2025, and Case Number FHC/ABJ/CS/2299/2025 announced on November 14, 2025—prevented INEC from overseeing, observing, acknowledging, or implementing the results of the conference or any related process until all judicial mandates have been fully met.
Although the NWC under Turaki opposed INEC's stance, this suggests that the new administration does not have legal standing, and their actions could be considered invalid.
The refusal to acknowledge the new leadership has raised worries among numerous PDP supporters, who feel that all choices made by the party's top body will be disregarded if the court annuls the conference, as requested by the Wike faction.
By Saturday, Damagum and Anyanwu remained designated as the National Chairman and National Secretary of the PDP, respectively.
Defections among governors, declining PDP territory
Following the 2013 episode, prolonged challenges have also caused the major political group to lose at least 11 governors and numerous federal and local representatives since 2020.
On November 17, 2020, David Umahi, who was serving his second term as the PDP leader in Ebonyi State, switched allegiance to the APC.
In the same way, Ben Ayade, who was the governor of Cross River State then, left the PDP to join the APC on May 20, 2021, whereas Bello Matawalle, the governor of Zamfara State, became part of the APC on June 29, 2021.
A wave of resignations recently affected Governor Sheriff Oborevwori from Delta State on April 23; Governor Umo Eno from Akwa Ibom on June 6; and Enugu State Governor, Peter Mbah, on October 14 — all occurring in 2025 — as they joined the APC.
In addition, Bayelsa State Governor Douye Diri resigned from the PDP on November 3, alongside Taraba State Governor Agbu Kefas, who also switched parties.
Osun State Governor Adeniyi Adebayo declared his withdrawal from the People's Democratic Party (PDP) through an official communication released by his media representative, Olawale Rasheed, during the month of December.
Rasheed stated that Adeleke left the party on November 4, affiliated with the Accord Party on December 9, and was designated as its candidate for the 2026 gubernatorial election.
Governor Siminalayi Fubara of Rivers State also joined the APC on December 9. The Plateau State governor is the latest PDP bigwig to defect to the APC. His defection was announced by the APC National Chairman, Prof Nentawe Yilwatda, during the party’s 14th National Caucus meeting held at the State House Conference Centre, Abuja.
Among all the PDP governors who were chosen in the 2023 national elections, only Makinde, Muhammed (from Bauchi), Lawal (of Zamfara), and Fintiri (from Adamawa) continue to be part of the party, whereas the PDP has additionally seen many legislators switch allegiance to the APC.
Examining the reasons behind what they termed the "unluckiness" of the PDP, political experts pointed to immunity from consequences, the dominant power of current politicians, and the departure of previous party leaders as factors contributing to the downfall of what had been hailed as Africa's biggest political organization.
Even though the PDP maintains organizational frameworks at all levels—from local units to the national level—the leadership turmoil has caused many members to feel lost and without guidance.
The rebuilding efforts
Nevertheless, a representative from the PDP, Ini Ememobong, linked the party's worsening situation to the nature of political processes, pointing out that this was not exclusive to the PDP or Nigeria's political framework.
Although facing a leadership challenge, Ememobong stated that the PDP would recover, noting that the party was being restored to the public as it originally was.
He stated, "Throughout the history of Nigerian politics, political parties coming to power and then stepping down is typical. The Democratic Party in the United States and the Labour Party in the United Kingdom have, at some point, lost their positions, sometimes remaining out of government for over ten years."
The situation within the PDP is merely part of political processes. What truly matters is our efforts to rebuild. We're rebuilding under our own banner and restoring authority to the public. Initially, we didn’t have governors or senators—just individuals who supported us and chose this path. Regrettably, certain figures who rose through the party’s system have chosen to take the votes elsewhere. Should we pursue them, or return to those who originally backed us? We will be returning to the foundation of the party—the people.
We are making sure that the input from chosen leaders does not overshadow the opinions of regular citizens. It will create an environment where we honor governors, senators, and similar figures, yet without diminishing the overall voice of the public. This represents the renewed PDP founded upon justice, equality, fairness, and openness, allowing every individual to have a role in selecting the party's nominees.
In the same way, a member of the NWC who supports Wike's faction, Timothy Osadolor, stated that the failure of governors to align with party frameworks, along with the pride of certain leaders, led to the downfall of the PDP. He claimed true reconciliation might bring back the party's former success and called for the conflicting groups to hold discussions.
Osadolor stated, "The reality is that a system which pushes out individuals such as Adolphus Wabara and certain governors cannot achieve much of importance. These are men who resort to doubletalk and superficial solutions, avoiding tough choices. This approach veers into arrogance, since in the end, the right to stay in power rests with the Nigerian citizens, and only good performance can secure an additional term."
“We could have created a lasting legacy of 20, 50 or even 80 years of organised governance if citizens, administrators and people-oriented leaders had been allowed to lead the party. It is unfortunate that the PDP, once the pride of Nigerians, has been reduced to this state. But democracy will not die, and the PDP will not die. Nigerians should keep hope alive. There will be gradual shifts in the administration of the PDP. What the party must do is to go back home and ask: where did we get it wrong?”
When asked about the path ahead, Osadolor stated, "Primarily, the PDP needs to reform its leadership structure. Governors should be made part of the party rather than leading it. Party officials should be chosen by the actual stakeholders—the citizens. Leaders who are deeply split over ideological differences should come together sincerely, speak honestly with one another, offer apologies when needed, and bridge their divides. Most crucially, we need to inform Nigerians how we would act differently if entrusted with governing the country again."
Supplied by SyndiGate Media Inc. ( Syndigate.info ).
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