Wike can’t stop our convention – PDP

The planned national convention of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) scheduled to hold in Oyo State is facing fresh hurdles following opposition by Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike. Wike’s stance is reportedly linked to his strained relationship with Oyo State governor, Seyi Makinde, under whose watch the convention is to be […]

The planned national convention of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) scheduled to hold in Oyo State is facing fresh hurdles following opposition by Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike.

Wike’s stance is reportedly linked to his strained relationship with Oyo State governor, Seyi Makinde, under whose watch the convention is to be hosted.

The development threatens to throw the PDP into another round of internal crisis, despite repeated assurances by party leaders that the long-standing rifts within its ranks are being resolved.

Already, the PDP has fixed September 15–16, 2025, for the convention, saying all preparations have been concluded.

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Speaking to the BBC, PDP Deputy National Publicity Secretary, Malam Ibrahim Abdullahi, said the party had long been advised to sanction Wike but refrained to avoid escalating tensions.

“We tried to avoid problems, but now it appears the problem is chasing us, because Wike is someone who thrives on confrontation,” he said.

Abdullahi added that if Wike had remained loyal to the party, he ought to abide by its principles and decisions.

“Whatever step he takes to frustrate our forthcoming convention, we are ready to respond. Some of his actions already show he is more inclined towards promoting the APC government,” he stated.

Wike, a major stakeholder in the PDP, has dismissed the proposed convention, insisting he is not aware of it and will not recognize its outcome.

He argued that the PDP has failed to resolve lingering disputes, warning that any convention organized by a “few individuals” would not represent the decision of the National Executive Committee (NEC).

He vowed, along with his loyalists, to resist what he described as PDP’s internal injustice.

Meanwhile, many political observers describe Wike as a disruptive force within the party, often at odds with its leadership.

At a recent meeting of PDP leaders from Southern Nigeria held in Lagos on Thursday, August 21, 2025, the party restated its resolve to go ahead with the Oyo convention.

The meeting, chaired by PDP Board of Trustees Chairman, Adolphus Wabara, had in attendance governors from Bayelsa, Enugu, and Osun states, as well as 12 PDP federal lawmakers and other stakeholders.

Speaking at the meeting, Governor Makinde declared that Wike had overstepped his bounds and could not derail the PDP’s timetable.

“No one, not even Wike, can stop us from holding our national convention as scheduled,” Makinde said.