PDP Congress Confusion Deepens As Wike, Makinde Camps Clash Over Party Direction

The division within the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has deepened with factions issuing contradicting directives and statements.

This is as the party dismissed claims that it conducted a state congress in Cross River, insisting that no such exercise took place and describing reports of a congress as “a hallucination” and mere carnival activities.

The party also reaffirmed its readiness to hold a fully inclusive National Convention in Ibadan, Oyo State, on November 15 and 16, where new members of the National Working Committee (NWC) will be elected.

This clarification was made by the PDP’s National Publicity Secretary, Debo Ologunagba, while addressing journalists in Abuja on Monday.

Confusion Over Party Congresses

Naija News reports that the controversy began after two conflicting letters were received by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) from PDP leaders.

In a letter dated September 25 and received on September 26, the party’s acting National Chairman, Umar Damagum, with the backing of Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, officially postponed the planned state congresses in Cross River, Kebbi, and Plateau states.

However, in a counter letter dated September 26 and signed by the PDP National Secretary, Senator Samuel Anyanwu, an ally of FCT Minister Nyesom Wike, the party informed INEC that the congresses would still go ahead on Saturday, September 27, as originally scheduled.

The clash between Damagum and Anyanwu, analysts say, reflects the widening rift within the PDP ahead of the Ibadan convention, where 19 new NWC members are expected to emerge.

It Was Carnival, Not Congress – Ologunagba

Speaking on the matter, Ologunagba insisted that no congress was held in Cross River State.

“Clearly, there’s no state congress held in Cross River State for the PDP, for the State Executive Committee of the party,” he said.

“You know we’re going to the season of carnivals now in Cross River State, Calabar. If people were there, according to you, because I can’t recognise that, these people just went there for the pre-carnival for Christmas and it’s okay.

“Calabar is a friendly place for people who want to enjoy life. I think they are there for that purpose. I am not marketing Calabar, but I know people go there to have a good time.

“This party has a process. That you imagine that you can sit down and get some people together and have drinks, and call it a Congress, that’s a hallucination. There is a process you need to follow to have a Congress. The NWC must constitute an electoral panel. We didn’t constitute that. So that’s why I say that it is a hallucination. It’s an excitement, a carnival.”

Ologunagba assured party members that a new date for the Cross River congress would be announced soon, stressing that the PDP’s priority now is its November convention.

Wike Vs. Makinde Tensions Resurface

Naija News reports that the PDP has faced internal wrangling in recent months, with former Rivers State Governor, Wike, expressing displeasure over the refusal of the NWC to recognise Chief Dan Orbih as the National Vice Chairman (South-South).

Wike had earlier warned that sidelining Orbih could spark fresh crises in the party.

Though the matter appeared contained for now, party insiders believe the dispute over the postponed congresses in Plateau, Kebbi, and Cross River is a fresh trigger point between the Wike and Makinde camps.

On Jonathan and 2027 Presidency

During the briefing on Monday, Ologunagba also addressed speculations about former President Goodluck Jonathan contesting the 2027 presidential election on the PDP platform, following remarks credited to Professor Jerry Gana.

He said: “On clarification on comments by Professor Jerry Gana that former President Jonathan will contest on the platform of PDP? I don’t speak for Professor Jerry Gana. People can express their opinion.

“But I will emphasise this: In this party, as we are today, President Jonathan is a member. He has not said he’s not a member. But I can tell you today, this party has eminently qualified Nigerians, particularly at the governors’ level, who have done exceedingly well, that Nigeria can tap on and say, step up the place and do the right thing. Their performances in their states show their capacity, which is actually the DNA of the PDP.”

He challenged Nigerians to conduct a peer review between PDP and APC governors, adding that the PDP already has a pool of credible candidates for 2027, with or without Jonathan.

The National Publicity Secretary concluded by reiterating the party’s commitment to its Ibadan convention.

“We are focused and determined to organise the best National Convention that will be all-inclusive. And right now, we are ready,” Ologunagba said.

Source: Naijanews