PDP on the Brink: Makinde,Wike Feud May Spell Doom for Party - Aborisade
Barrister Chief Niyi Aborisade, a 2027 governorship aspirant in Oyo State, UK-based lawyer, activist, and philanthropist, has warned that the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) is facing one of the gravest crises in its history, following revelations by Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, on alleged attempts to weaken the party ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Reacting to Makinde’s disclosure that the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, allegedly promised to “hold the PDP” for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Aborisade described the development as a confirmation of long-suspected internal sabotage within the party.
According to Aborisade, the PDP, founded in August 1998 by a coalition of pro-democracy groups and organisations with Chief Solomon Lar as its first National Chairman, once stood as a pillar of Nigeria’s democratic journey, ruling at the federal level for 16 uninterrupted years. He lamented that the party’s steady decline became more evident after the 2023 elections, when internal disagreements and what he termed “anti-party activities” by influential members weakened its cohesion.
“The PDP began its descent when some powerful individuals placed personal ambition above party interest after losing at the presidential convention where Atiku Abubakar emerged convincingly,” Aborisade said.
He noted that Governor Makinde’s recent media chat in Ibadan had “opened the can of worms,” exposing the depth of the crisis within the party. According to him, what had long been concealed from party members and the general public has now been laid bare.
Aborisade argued that the PDP’s current predicament revolves around a power struggle between two dominant figures. On one side is Nyesom Wike, a former member of the G5 and now FCT Minister, whom he accused of seeking to align the PDP with President Tinubu, effectively denying the opposition party a presidential candidate in 2027. On the other side is Governor Makinde, who, he said, considers such a move an aberration and a betrayal of the PDP’s legacy as one of the largest political parties in Africa.
While acknowledging speculations about Makinde’s own presidential ambition, Aborisade maintained that the governor’s opposition to Wike’s alleged agenda is rooted in principle and the defence of multiparty democracy.
“What started as a little smoke has now grown into a raging inferno threatening to consume the PDP,” he warned.
The crisis, Aborisade added, has been worsened by legal disputes arising from the PDP’s November 15–16 convention held at the Lekan Salami Stadium, Ibadan. He noted that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has refused to recognise candidates produced at the convention due to ongoing court cases, a position he described as legally and procedurally justified.
Aborisade questioned whether the PDP still has the internal strength to survive the storm or whether the crisis has pushed the party to the edge of collapse.
“Though there are still respected elders within the party, the real question is whether the warring factions will listen to wise counsel,” he said. “Both camps are powerful, well-funded, and prepared for a long battle. In the end, only time will tell if the PDP can be saved or finally consumed by this crisis.”