Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo Statel
The deepening crisis within the Peoples Democratic Party has further widened, as former governors Samuel Ortom (Benue) and Ayo Fayose (Ekiti) have thrown their weight behind the Nyesom Wike-led faction of the party’s National Working Committee.
This development comes as loyalists of Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, and other governors regroup to remobilise support and challenge the Wike camp ahead of the party’s national convention.
In separate statements on Sunday, Ortom and Fayose endorsed the PDP faction led by the National Vice Chairman (North Central), Abdulrahman Mohammed, while blaming the acting National Chairman, Umar Damagum, for the party’s worsening internal crisis.
Despite preparations for its National Elective Convention scheduled for November 15 and 16 in Ibadan, Oyo State, the PDP remains enmeshed in internal wrangling over control of structures, zonal leadership, and convention arrangements
Tensions escalated on Friday when the Federal High Court in Abuja granted an interim injunction restraining the party from holding its convention pending compliance with its constitution and the Electoral Act.
Justice James Omotosho ordered the PDP to suspend all convention preparations until further notice, a ruling that has now deepened the division within the party.
On Saturday, the Damagum-led NWC announced the suspension of National Secretary, Senator Samuel Anyanwu; National Legal Adviser, Kamaldeen Ajibade (SAN); Deputy Legal Adviser, Okechukwu Osuoha; and National Organising Secretary, Umar Bature, for alleged anti-party activities.
In a swift response, the rival faction led by Anyanwu counter-suspended Damagum, National Publicity Secretary Debo Ologunagba, Deputy National Chairman (South) Taofeek Arapaja, and others for alleged financial misconduct and incompetence.
Reacting to the crisis, ex-Benue governor, Ortom, blamed poor leadership and exclusionary politics for the PDP’s disarray
Ortom, a member of the party’s Board of Trustees, said his warnings on the need for inclusiveness and reconciliation were ignored by the leadership.
Democracy thrives when people of diverse views come together for the common good,” Ortom said. “Unfortunately, a few individuals have attempted to run the party without recourse to collective consultation to collective consultation.”
