The deepening crisis within the Peoples Democratic Party has further widened, as former governors Samuel Ortom (Benue) and Ayo Fayose (Ekiti) have thrown their weight behind the Nyesom Wike-led faction of the party’s National Working Committee.
This development comes as loyalists of Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, and other governors regroup to remobilise support and challenge the Wike camp ahead of the party’s national convention.
In separate statements on Sunday, Ortom and Fayose endorsed the PDP faction led by the National Vice Chairman (North Central), Abdulrahman Mohammed, while blaming the acting National Chairman, Umar Damagum, for the party’s worsening internal crisis.
Despite preparations for its National Elective Convention scheduled for November 15 and 16 in Ibadan, Oyo State, the PDP remains enmeshed in internal wrangling over control of structures, zonal leadership, and convention arrangements.
Wike’s supporters have accused the Damagum-led leadership of bias and incompetence, citing unresolved disputes in the South-South zone and alleged disregard for micro-zoning principles.
Tensions escalated on Friday when the Federal High Court in Abuja granted an interim injunction restraining the party from holding its convention pending compliance with its constitution and the Electoral Act.
Justice James Omotosho ordered the PDP to suspend all convention preparations until further notice, a ruling that has now deepened the division within the party.
Wike’s supporters have accused the Damagum-led leadership of bias and incompetence, citing unresolved disputes in the South-South zone and alleged disregard for micro-zoning principles.
Tensions escalated on Friday when the Federal High Court in Abuja granted an interim injunction restraining the party from holding its convention pending compliance with its constitution and the Electoral Act.
Justice James Omotosho ordered the PDP to suspend all convention preparations until further notice, a ruling that has now deepened the division within the party.
