By Luminous Jannamike, Abuja
BARELY every week to the Peoples Democratic Celebration (PDP) nationwide conference in Ibadan, state chairmen of the social gathering have thrown their weight behind Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, expressing full confidence in his management and path.
The chairmen voiced optimism that ongoing efforts to destabilise the social gathering forward of the 2027 common elections would fail, describing such makes an attempt as futile and opposite to the PDP’s collective curiosity.
The assembly, held beneath the banner of the Discussion board of PDP State Chairmen and led by Edo State chairman, Hon. Tony Aziegbemi, introduced collectively state social gathering leaders and Governor Makinde on the Oyo State Lodge in Abuja.
Though formally tagged a ‘courtesy go to,’ sources mentioned the gathering was a calculated political transfer; supposed to show solidarity with Makinde and strengthen strategic alliances forward of the conference.
“This struggle you see inside the PDP isn’t simply an inner disagreement; it’s a battle between darkness and lightweight. What these folks need is to cripple the PDP and hand the APC a free experience in 2027. However that plan won’t succeed,” Aziegbemi declared after the assembly.
In the meantime, tensions are rising inside the PDP as rival blocs: one led by Governor Makinde and the opposite by the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, vie for management forward of the 2027 elections.
The 2 camps are at odds over key choices shaping the upcoming nationwide conference, slated for November 15–16 in Ibadan.
Insiders say the Wike-aligned bloc is pushing for a postponement till a number of disputes are resolved, together with the popularity of the Dan Orbih-led South-South Zonal Working Committee, the standing of expelled Nationwide Vice Chairman (South-East), Chief Ali Odefa, and the reconduct of state congresses in Anambra, Ebonyi, and different states.
On the coronary heart of the battle additionally lies the query of management legitimacy, significantly the continued tenure of Ambassador Umar Damagum as Nationwide Chairman following his suspension by the Wike-bloc, and the bigger battle to reposition the PDP as a reputable opposition power earlier than 2027.
Whereas the chairmen described their go to as an appreciation tour to thank Governor Makinde for his stabilising position, it was additionally seen as a transparent present of loyalty to the governor’s bloc, now extensively considered the social gathering’s dominant energy centre.
Sources near the assembly mentioned there’s rising concern that sure pursuits inside the social gathering are intentionally fanning division to weaken the PDP’s power forward of 2027, an final result that might play instantly into the fingers of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
By framing the inner wrangling as half of a bigger political battle resulting in 2027, the discussion board of chairmen has successfully recast what might need appeared a routine management dispute right into a symbolic struggle over the PDP’s survival and path.
Regardless of the agency tone of the assembly, Aziegbemi struck a conciliatory be aware towards the suspended chairmen of Imo and Abia States who’re aligned with the Wike-bloc, reaffirming the discussion board’s help for the reconciliation drive led by the social gathering’s factional Board of Trustees (BoT) Chairman, Senator Adolphus Wabara.
“The door to reconciliation can by no means be closed. These guys are our pals, our brothers. We are going to proceed to see them as such.” Aziegbemi mentioned.
The Ibadan Take a look at
The forthcoming conference in Ibadan represents the PDP’s largest inner check because the 2023 common elections. For Governor Makinde, internet hosting the occasion affords each a possibility to cement his popularity as a stabilising power and a problem that might expose him to factional pressures.
Celebration insiders say the chairmen’s present of help was meant to reassure Makinde of nationwide backing forward of what are anticipated to be powerful negotiations in Ibadan.
But not everyone seems to be happy. Leaders aligned with the Wike faction have privately criticised what they name the ‘overreach’ of the governor’s bloc; a recurring supply of friction inside the PDP.
For some social gathering members, thpolie chairmen’s assembly was much less about courtesy and extra about strategic consolidation forward of the conference.
Their underlying message, that the PDP’s inner disaster is a part of a broader try to undermine opposition politics in Nigeria, seems aimed toward rallying unity and public sympathy earlier than 2027.
“We’re with the governors and the Nationwide Working Committee to face on the proper facet of historical past. The evil plans of those that need this nation to stay the place it’s won’t ever succeed,” Aziegbemi added.
Whether or not this renewed optimism interprets into actual social gathering stability stays to be seen. However for now, the PDP’s state chairmen have drawn a transparent line, casting themselves not merely as directors, however as defenders of a celebration combating to remain related within the battle for 2027.
Makinde stuff 8-11-25
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