Nigerian politics 2025

Abuja, Nigeria — The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) is facing escalating tensions ahead of its November 2025 national convention as a brewing feud between FCT Minister Nyesom Wike and Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde threatens to derail plans. Once political allies, the two men are now locked in a rivalry that could reshape the party’s internal power balance.

Convention Shift Sparks Speculation

At the party’s 101st NEC meeting, PDP moved its Elective National Convention from Kano to Ibadan, Oyo State, and announced that it would be held on November 15–16, 2025. Observers widely interpret this as an effort to bolster Makinde’s influence. The same meeting also saw the PDP zone its 2027 presidential ticket to the South, a development seen by many as furthering Makinde’s presidential ambitions.

Wike Pushes Back

Nyesom Wike, however, has expressed strong displeasure. He insists the South‑South zonal congress, which elected Dan Orbih as Vice Chairman, must be recognized before any convention can proceed. Wike claims he was not notified of the Ibadan plan and says he will legally challenge the convention unless internal disputes, including the zonal congress and the National Secretary position, are resolved.

Power Play Amid Party Crisis

The conflict deepens a broader power struggle within the PDP between Wike’s loyalists—often aligned with governors like Plateau’s Caleb Mutfwang and Adamawa’s Ahmadu Fintiri—and Makinde’s camp, supported by governors such as Bauchi’s Bala Mohammed and Enugu’s Peter Mbah. Talks have taken place to reconcile differences, though key issues still remain: the National Secretary role, South‑South leadership legitimacy, and Rivers State disputes. Punch

Party Officials Deny Rift

Despite the tension, PDP founding chieftain Earl Osaro Onaiwu dismisses the notion of a feud. He claims rumors are being stoked by political troublemakers and that both Wike and Makinde remain united PDP leaders. He emphasizes that consensus on the Ibadan convention was reached collectively by NEC, NWC, and INEC, and that preparations are progressing smoothly.

Stakes Ahead: Unity or Fragmentation

This showdown carries high stakes: unity for the 2027 election versus further internal fragmentation. The Ibadan convention move is seen by many as consolidating Makinde’s position, while Wike’s resistance suggests a deeper battle for the party’s soul.

As preparations continue, all political eyes are on whether the PDP can resolve these internal conflicts without further alienating factions or risking a breakdown of its electoral readiness.

Abuja, Nigeria — In a dramatic political shakeup, the Social Democratic Party (SDP) has expelled former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir Ahmad El-Rufai, and banned him from associating with the party in any form for the next 30 years.

The decision was announced on Monday via an official statement signed by the party’s National Publicity Secretary, Araba Aiyenigba, following a high-level resolution by the National Working Committee (NWC) of the SDP.

El-Rufai Accused of Forgery, False Claims, and Political Intrigue
According to the party’s leadership, El-Rufai falsely paraded himself as a member of the SDP without undergoing any legitimate registration process at the ward level — a core requirement under the party’s constitution.

“He never registered at his ward in Kaduna. Yet, he took to social media claiming to have joined the party, complete with photo ops alongside suspended party leaders to legitimize the falsehood,” the statement read.

The party also alleged that El-Rufai forged documents, self-registered, and declared himself “Member No. 001” of the Unguwar Sarki Ward in Kaduna North LGA, even though the ward had active, long-standing members prior to his claim.

SDP: El-Rufai Tried to Hijack the Party While Aligning With ADC
The NWC claimed that El-Rufai’s real intent was to manipulate internal party processes and draw the SDP into an unauthorized alliance with another political party — the African Democratic Congress (ADC) — where he had already publicly declared support.

“El-Rufai was not only falsely claiming membership, but also actively promoting the ADC while dragging the SDP into backdoor political coalitions,” the party said.

As a result, the NWC unanimously resolved to excommunicate El-Rufai and prohibit him from using the party’s name, insignia, logo, or participating in any SDP activities until 2055.

INEC Notified, Nigerians Urged to Disregard El-Rufai’s Claims
The party has called on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and other regulatory bodies to take note that El-Rufai is not a recognized member of the SDP and holds no authority to speak or act on behalf of the party.

In reaffirming its commitment to internal democracy and national development, the SDP urged all prospective members to follow due process and reject shortcuts or impersonation.

“Apparently trying to whitewash his political past, El-Rufai proposed a grand reception at the SDP National Secretariat in Abuja. But he was politely advised to first undergo a simple eligibility screening and register at his ward,” the party revealed.

Instead of following protocol, the former governor allegedly forged membership credentials and bypassed the required onboarding procedures.

Background: El-Rufai’s Defection from APC to SDP Sparks Controversy
El-Rufai recently announced his departure from the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), citing a growing disconnect between his personal values and the party’s direction. The move generated buzz across political circles, with many speculating about his next steps toward the 2027 elections.

However, his sudden alignment with the SDP — now proven unsubstantiated — appears to have backfired, triggering one of the harshest political sanctions in recent history.

Former Governor of Ekiti State, Ayodele Fayose, has revealed that he intended to publicly criticize the late former President Muhammadu Buhari following his passing, but was dissuaded by his wife.

Speaking during an appearance on Channels Television’s Politics Today on Friday, Fayose emphasized that Nigerians often refrain from speaking ill of the dead, regardless of their track record in office.

“When President Buhari died, I wanted to come out and criticize him. But my wife advised me against it,” Fayose said. “In Nigeria, we tend to only praise the dead.”

Former President Buhari passed away in July 2025 at a private medical facility in London and was laid to rest in his hometown of Daura, Katsina State.

Fayose maintained that Buhari’s performance during his eight-year tenure was far below expectations.

“Let’s be honest—can anyone say Buhari delivered? I’m not one to glorify someone just because they’ve died. Don’t honor me when I’m gone; speak the truth while I’m alive,” he asserted.

The outspoken politician also expressed concern over what he described as the nation’s deteriorating condition under Buhari’s administration. He questioned why many Nigerians now place the blame solely on President Bola Tinubu’s government.

“Under Buhari, Nigeria was in disarray. Why are people now suddenly blaming Tinubu for everything?” Fayose asked.

He also highlighted the difference in leadership style between the two leaders, pointing out that Tinubu has shown greater accessibility.

“President Tinubu is accessible. Was Buhari ever accessible? A lot of things that happened under Buhari are no longer in the system. Tinubu is not perfect, but we’re not where we were,” he added.

FCT, Abuja – Senate President Godswill Obot Akpabio has firmly denied viral claims that the Nigerian Senate has approved the creation of 12 new states across the country.

Speaking during plenary on Tuesday, July 22, Senator Akpabio, who represents Akwa Ibom North-West, clarified that the legislative process for state creation has not even reached the stage of final report preparation for deliberation.

“The Senate has not approved the creation of any new state,” Akpabio stated. “Even if that were the case, it would require a two-thirds majority from all state Houses of Assembly and the involvement of both chambers — the House of Representatives and the Senate.”

Akpabio Warns Against Fake News and Social Media Misinformation

The Senate President also expressed concern about the spread of misinformation on social media, warning that fake reports could undermine public trust and national stability.

“I hope the way Africans use social media will not break society. People even create fake letterheads announcing rejected appointments,” he said.

Akpabio emphasized that while there are indeed proposals for new states, none has progressed beyond initial discussions:

“Not one has reached the stage where we can say we have completed zonal or national deliberation, let alone transmit to state assemblies for concurrence and return to the National Assembly for final deliberations.”

He also reminded Nigerians that constitutional amendments, especially those concerning state creation, follow strict and complex processes:

“The process of amending the Nigerian constitution is very stringent. So, the public should disregard these fake reports.”

Senate Spokesperson Also Debunks Rumors of 31 New States

Earlier, Senate spokesperson Yemi Adaramodu similarly debunked claims circulating on WhatsApp that the Senate had passed a bill to create 31 new states.

Adaramodu clarified that the Senate alone does not have the authority to create states; such proposals must pass multiple stages of constitutional amendment, including approvals by state Houses of Assembly.

What Senators Actually Do

In Nigeria, Senators are primarily responsible for:

Representing their constituents
Making and amending laws
Holding the executive branch accountable
They work within the National Assembly, a bicameral legislature, to ensure peace, order, and good governance of the federation.