A major internal crisis has erupted within Nigeria’s main opposition party, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), following scathing allegations by former FRCN Director-General Ladan Salihu that the PDP Governors’ Forum has unconstitutionally hijacked the party’s leadership structure.
The controversy stems from Monday’s closed-door meeting of PDP governors in Ibadan which lasted six hours and produced resolutions about the party’s 2027 strategy without the presence of the National Executive Committee (NEC) or National Working Committee (NWC).
Key Points of Contention:
- Constitutional Violation: Salihu insists the governors have no constitutional authority to make binding decisions for the entire party
- Exclusion of Party Organs: The absence of NEC/NWC members at the Ibadan meeting raises questions about due process
- 2027 Strategy Divide: While governors rejected formal coalition, Salihu maintains opposition unity is the only path to defeating Tinubu
The PDP Governors’ Forum, chaired by Bauchi’s Bala Mohammed, had resolved against any formal merger but left room for individual defections from other parties. This stance directly contradicts Salihu’s position that only a grand opposition coalition can unseat the ruling APC.
Ogun State PDP Chairman Tella Abayomi defended the governors, calling them “generalissimos” of their states and insisting their actions promoted party unity. He revealed the PDP National Chairman attended the meeting, though critics note he lacks voting powers in the Governors’ Forum.
What This Means for PDP:
- Deepening factional divide between elected governors and party bureaucrats
- Growing uncertainty about opposition strategy for 2027 elections
- Potential constitutional crisis if governors continue sidelining NEC
- Atiku’s camp appears to favor coalitions contrary to governors’ stance
The brewing crisis comes at a critical juncture as Nigeria’s opposition attempts to regroup after consecutive presidential election losses. With the next NEC meeting scheduled for May, all eyes will be on whether the party can reconcile these competing visions or risk further fragmentation.
Political analysts suggest the PDP’s internal struggles mirror Nigeria’s broader democratic challenges, where elected executives often dominate party structures contrary to constitutional designs. The outcome of this power tussle could determine whether Africa’s former largest opposition party regains relevance or continues its decline.
