The camp of Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, has firmly stated that the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) is determined to cleanse itself of what it described as “satanic infiltrations” through its forthcoming national convention. The declaration comes in response to loyalists of the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, who had earlier warned that the convention would be invalid if their demands were not met.
Wike’s supporters, operating under the banner of Eminent Leaders and Concerned Stakeholders of the PDP, had issued strong conditions regarding the conduct of the event. They acknowledged satisfaction with the zoning arrangement already adopted by the party’s National Executive Committee (NEC) but insisted that the National Working Committee (NWC) must not engage in micro-zoning. Specifically, they demanded that the office of National Chairman must remain in the North-Central region in accordance with the formula adopted at the 2021 convention.
Reacting to the warning, the Oyo State chapter of the PDP dismissed Wike’s camp as insignificant to the process. The party’s Publicity Secretary in Oyo State, Micheal Ogunsina, told Punch on Tuesday that the upcoming convention, scheduled to hold in Ibadan on November 15 and 16, was already a “done deal” that could not be stopped by any political force.
Ogunsina stressed that the convention would not only hold as planned but also produce new leadership capable of redirecting the PDP toward stability and preparation for the 2027 general elections. According to him, the party is moving beyond distractions and divisions, with its focus set firmly on repositioning itself to reclaim power at the national level.
“The PDP has dared Nyesom Wike to do what he can do. There is no forever champion anywhere. How did those before him end? The November 15 and 16 convention in Ibadan is a done deal. No force can stop it,” Ogunsina declared. He went on to add that the convention would mark a turning point for the PDP, as it seeks to purge itself of elements that he described as working against the party’s collective interest.
In his remarks, Ogunsina stated that the new leaders expected to emerge from the convention would set the party on “the right footing” and prepare it adequately for the challenges of the coming electoral season. “New leaders will emerge from the convention to set the party on the right footing; all satanic infiltrations will be sent packing, and PDP will be set free,” he added.
The war of words between camps loyal to Makinde and Wike highlights the deepening internal rifts within the PDP. While the party leadership has continued to project the convention as a unifying event, the demands and counter-demands from opposing factions suggest that tensions remain unresolved.
For Wike’s loyalists, keeping the National Chairman’s office in the North-Central is seen as critical to maintaining balance within the party. However, Makinde’s camp appears determined to downplay these concerns and push forward with preparations for the Ibadan convention.
As the November date approaches, the PDP faces a critical test of unity. The success or failure of the convention could have far-reaching implications for the party’s strength and cohesion ahead of the 2027 elections. For now, the Makinde camp is insisting that no amount of opposition will derail the process, while Wike’s supporters continue to warn of possible consequences if their conditions are ignored.
With both sides standing firm, all eyes are now on Ibadan, where the PDP’s future direction may be decided in just over two months. The convention, expected to gather leaders and delegates from across the country, is poised to shape the political trajectory of one of Nigeria’s major opposition parties at a time when internal disputes threaten to weaken its prospects.
