By Wellington Jopelo
A new twist has emerged in the crisis rocking the Peoples Democratic Party, as allies of Nyesom Wike have firmly rejected a newly proposed leadership structure and election timetable backed by Seyi Makinde.
The disagreement followed a factional NEC meeting where Makinde’s camp approved a caretaker committee to run the party’s affairs and rolled out a detailed schedule for primaries ahead of the 2027 elections.
However, the Wike-backed bloc dismissed the entire process, describing the meeting as незакон and insisting that any decisions taken there have no legal standing within the party.
The faction also rejected the idea of an interim National Working Committee, arguing that such a structure is not recognised under the party’s current framework.
At the centre of the dispute is a deepening power struggle over who controls the party’s leadership and electoral processes, with both sides claiming legitimacy.
While Makinde’s camp maintains that its actions were backed by a valid quorum of party stakeholders, the opposing bloc insists the move contradicts existing legal and constitutional provisions guiding the party.
The situation has been further complicated by a recent Supreme Court ruling that nullified an earlier convention linked to the Makinde camp, intensifying uncertainty over the party’s leadership direction.
Despite the rejection, the Makinde-aligned faction has continued to push forward with its plans, including timelines for sales of forms, screening of aspirants, and primary elections.
On the other side, the Wike-backed leadership has already begun its own parallel processes, setting the stage for a potential clash of structures within the same party.
Political observers say the unfolding situation highlights a widening internal divide that could affect the party’s preparedness for the 2027 general elections.
With both camps refusing to back down, attention is now focused on whether reconciliation efforts can succeed—or if the party will head into the next electoral cycle deeply fractured.