As the November 16, 2025 National Convention of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) approaches, a fresh power struggle has emerged between PDP governors and loyalists of the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, over the party’s top leadership positions.
Investigations by 9am News Nigeria indicate that the contest is centred on who becomes the next National Chairman and National Secretary, with both camps fiercely lobbying to secure strategic advantages ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Both blocs reportedly agree that the next PDP national chairman should be a former governor, to command authority within the party. But the consensus ends there.
The Governor Douye Diri-led zoning committee zoned the chairmanship to the North but stopped short of micro-zoning it. As a result, PDP governors are leaning towards former Kano State governor, Senator Ibrahim Shekarau, from the North-west.
On the other hand, Wike’s loyalists, who had earlier considered Hon. T.J. Yusuf from Kogi, are now strongly backing former Benue State governor, Samuel Ortom, from the North-central. Wike’s camp insists the chairmanship should remain in the North-central, pointing to Ortom’s deep PDP roots, having previously served as state secretary, deputy state chairman, national auditor, minister, and governor.
Zoning Row Over National Secretary
The struggle has also extended to the office of the National Secretary. On September 1, 2025, the three southern zonal chairmen — Dr. Ali Odefa (South-east), Ajisafe Kamorudeen (South-west), and Chief Emmanuel Ogidi (South-south) issued a memo zoning the secretary position from the South-east to the South-west.
But the decision has drawn stiff resistance. Critics argue that since Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde is a potential presidential contender, giving the secretary slot to the South-west would unfairly strengthen his influence.
Outgoing National Secretary and Wike ally, Senator Samuel Anyanwu, rejected the arrangement, claiming Odefa had ceased to be a PDP member following a High Court ruling. Odefa dismissed the claim as baseless, accusing opponents of dragging internal disputes “so low.”
The zoning tussle almost disrupted a recent Lagos PDP stakeholders’ meeting. Reports suggest the South-west is plotting to move Deputy National Chairman, Taofeek Arapaja, into the secretary’s office, while reallocating his current post to the South-south. Meanwhile, the South-south is lobbying for the National Publicity Secretary, and the South-east insists the secretaryship should remain in its zone.
In a separate development, the Cross River State PDP caucus openly defied Wike’s camp, endorsing Tim Ekawu for the September 27 state congress. The caucus argued that Wike, now serving as a minister under the All Progressives Congress (APC), has lost the moral standing to dictate PDP affairs.
A communiqué signed by state secretary Anthony Edako backed the convention arrangements and rejected Wike’s influence, underscoring the growing rift between his loyalists and mainstream PDP stakeholders.
With just weeks to the convention, the leadership battle is expected to intensify, as governors and Wike’s loyalists maneuver for control of key offices. Analysts say the outcome could determine whether the PDP emerges more united or further divided ahead of the 2027 presidential race.
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