Raphael Johnson
In a bid to find a lasting solution to the issues bedeviling their party, governors on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) have reportedly met with the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike.
It is believed that they may have agreed to make concessions to foster unity within the party ahead of the 2027 presidential election.Sources say that the Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, represented PDP governors in the meeting with Wike in Lagos last week.
The discussions during the meeting reportedly centred on resolving the political crisis in Rivers State involving Wike and the suspended Governor Sim Fubara, as well as addressing concerns related to the South-South zonal leadership, the National Secretary, and other matters to balance the interests of both sides.
Since the 2023 elections, the PDP has been battling internal crises.The situation worsened with the conflict between Governor Siminalayi Fubara and Wike in Rivers State, along with disagreements over the South-South zonal leadership and the unresolved National Secretary position since December 2024.
Attempts by the party’s leadership bodies—the National Working Committee, Board of Trustees, National Executive Committee, and the PDP Governors Forum — to mediate have only deepened divisions.These have led to further splits within state and zonal chapters of the party.
Following the lingering crisis, many party leaders have grown disillusioned, with some defecting to the ruling All Progressives Congress and blaming the PDP’s unresolved internal issues. One of the biggest of such defections happened On April 23, when Delta State Governor Sheriff Oborevwori, former Governor Ifeanyi Okowa, and other officials from the state joined the APC.Their departure has dealt a major blow to the PDP’s image and further undermined its chances ahead of the 2027 elections.
A source close to the Oyo State governor revealed that after the Lagos meeting, Makinde agreed to brief fellow governors, while Wike would relay the outcome of the talks to his loyal supporters.
He stated, “Makinde and Wike met in Lagos, where Makinde represented the PDP governors and Wike attended on behalf of his loyalists.“
During the meeting, Wike expressed concerns about the Governors Forum’s recommendations, claiming they were made without considering party laws. He stated that some of the positions taken by the governors were illegal.
The minister also pointed out that despite the Forum’s numerous positions, it has only succeeded in complicating matters rather than resolving them. “Wike informed Makinde and other PDP leaders that he was unhappy with the Forum’s decisions regarding the National Secretary, South-South Zonal leadership, and the ongoing issues in Rivers State.
“He promised to stay in the PDP but requested that the forum and party leadership reconsider their positions on these issues in accordance with the party’s considering, to ensure peace, unity, and help reposition the party.”
The source stated that Makinde also expressed frustration over how the behaviour of some of the officials involved had worsened the situation.
He said, “In his response, Makinde also mentioned that the attitude of some officials towards the PDP governors was disrespectful and was not helping the situation. He reassured Wike that no one was trying to embarrass anyone, but rather, everyone was doing their best to reposition the party.
Makinde promised to brief the governors on or before the forum’s next meeting and assured Wike of his support. They both agreed that concerned members should withdraw the pending litigation and pursue political solutions.
Additionally, they agreed that the Governors Forum’s decision on issues such as the zonal congress, especially that of the South-South, the Rivers State crisis, the National Secretary position, and other matters should be revisited to accommodate all interests.
A senior member of the PDP National Working Committee confirmed the meeting.