The faction of the Peoples Democratic Party loyal to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has urged members to disregard a recent meeting between a rival faction and the African Democratic Congress, describing the engagement as unauthorised and unrepresentative of the party.
ABUJA, Nigeria – Fresh fissures have emerged within the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) after the faction loyal to Nyesom Wike, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, distanced the party from a high-level meeting held between a rival PDP faction and the African Democratic Congress (ADC).
The meeting, convened by the Taminu Turaki-led faction of the PDP, took place on Wednesday and lasted approximately two hours, from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. It was described by participants as a solidarity visit aimed at fostering inter-party cooperation ahead of the 2027 general elections.
However, the Wike-backed faction has swiftly moved to disown the engagement, insisting that the PDP has not authorised any formal or informal discussions with the ADC or its representatives.
Party Spokesman Issues Strong Rebuke
In a statement released on Wednesday, the national publicity secretary of the Wike-backed faction, Jungudo Mohammed, urged party members and the general public to disregard any claims arising from the meeting.
“The party has not held any formal or informal engagements with the ADC or its representatives,” Mr Mohammed said emphatically. “Any individuals reported to have participated in the meeting acted in their personal capacities and cannot be considered as representing the PDP.”
He described reports of the meeting as baseless and not reflective of the party’s official position. He further called on members and the public to ignore the claims, reiterating that the PDP remains focused on its internal processes and its commitment to credible leadership for Nigerians.
Turaki-Led Faction Holds Solidarity Visit
The Turaki-led faction, which includes several high-profile opposition figures, had earlier on Wednesday visited the David Mark-led ADC. According to sources close to the delegation, the engagement was intended to explore areas of collaboration and discuss national developments ahead of the 2027 elections.
Prominent figures at the meeting included former Minister of Information, Jerry Gana; former Niger State Governor, Babangida Aliyu; members of the PDP National Working Committee; and former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar, who was the party’s presidential candidate in the 2023 election.
Also present were a host of former governors, including Peter Obi (Anambra), Rabiu Kwankwaso (Kano), Aminu Tambuwal (Sokoto), and Rotimi Amaechi (Rivers). Their presence underscores the significant political weight of the faction and its ambitions to build a broad coalition ahead of the next electoral cycle.
On the ADC side, the party’s national secretary, Rauf Aregbesola; former Attorney-General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami; and other senior political figures participated in the deliberations.
PDP Primaries Preparations Underway
Despite the public disagreement, Mr Mohammed sought to reassure party members that preparations for the PDP’s primaries are progressing well. He noted that timelines and guidelines would be communicated to members in due course.
“The party remains focused on its internal processes and its commitment to credible leadership for Nigerians,” he said.
The statement did not, however, address the growing perception of a deep schism within the PDP, which has struggled to present a united front since the conclusion of the 2023 elections. The party lost the presidential election to the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, and has since been embroiled in leadership disputes and factional battles.
Wike vs Turaki: A Deeper Divide
The latest clash between the two factions highlights the ongoing power struggle within the PDP. Nyesom Wike, who served as Rivers State Governor for eight years before becoming FCT Minister, has maintained significant influence over the party’s structure despite his appointment in the APC-led federal government. His faction is often described as the more conservative wing of the PDP, prioritising internal discipline and a cautious approach to opposition alliances.
The Taminu Turaki-led faction, by contrast, appears more open to cross-party engagements and coalition-building, as evidenced by the meeting with the ADC. Turaki, a former Minister of Special Duties, has positioned himself as a unifier seeking to bring together disparate opposition forces to challenge the ruling APC in 2027.
The presence of Atiku Abubakar, Peter Obi, and Rabiu Kwankwaso at the ADC meeting is particularly significant. All three were presidential candidates in 2023 – Atiku for the PDP, Obi for the Labour Party, and Kwankwaso for the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP). Their willingness to sit together under the same roof suggests that discussions about a possible mega coalition are advancing, even if the Wike-backed faction remains sceptical.
ADC’s Role in Opposition Politics
The African Democratic Congress, led by former Senate President David Mark, has historically been a minor player in Nigerian politics. However, the party has recently sought to position itself as a viable platform for opposition unity. By hosting senior figures from the PDP and other parties, the ADC is signalling its readiness to play a more prominent role in the run-up to 2027.
ADC national secretary Rauf Aregbesola, a former Osun State Governor, has been instrumental in these outreach efforts. His presence at the meeting, alongside former Attorney-General Abubakar Malami, suggests that the ADC is courting both opposition and former APC figures in its bid to build a broad-based coalition.
What This Means for 2027
The public disagreement between the two PDP factions raises important questions about the party’s ability to present a united front in the next election cycle. If the Wike-backed faction continues to reject overtures to other parties, it could force the Turaki-led faction to operate independently or seek alternative platforms.
Conversely, if the pro-coalition faction gains momentum, it could marginalise the Wike group within the broader opposition movement. The coming months will be critical in determining which faction ultimately controls the PDP’s structure and direction.
For now, the party’s official position – as articulated by Mr Mohammed – is clear: no engagements with the ADC have been authorised, and any such meetings are personal endeavours. However, the presence of heavyweight political figures at the ADC meeting suggests that the push for opposition unity is far from over.
Conclusion
The Wike-backed PDP faction has moved decisively to distance the party from a rival faction’s meeting with the ADC, calling the engagement unauthorised and unrepresentative. The public rebuke underscores the deepening divisions within the opposition party as the 2027 elections draw nearer.
While the Turaki-led faction pursues coalition-building with other parties, the Wike group insists on internal processes and party discipline. The outcome of this power struggle will shape not only the PDP’s future but also the broader opposition landscape in Nigeria.
As both factions dig in, the Nigerian electorate will be watching closely to see whether the PDP can resolve its differences or whether the party will head into 2027 fractured and weakened.
