A major rift within Nigeria’s main opposition party, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), has deepened. FCT Minister Nyesom Wike has mocked his purported expulsion by a rival faction.
The faction, led by Governors Seyi Makinde of Oyo and Bala Mohammed of Bauchi, announced Wike’s removal. Wike dismissed the move as a “joke,” calling Makinde a “junior brother” who met him in the party.
In response, Wike’s group expelled the two governors in return. Each side has now formed its own parallel national leadership committees.
Wike argued that founders and long-time members like himself cannot be pushed out by newer entrants. He accused the rival group of holding an illegal convention and disobeying court orders.
The conflict threatens to permanently split the party. It centers on control and the direction of the PDP ahead of future elections.
Wike has urged loyal members to reject what he calls an unlawful takeover. The standoff leaves the party with two competing leadership structures, creating widespread confusion.
