PDP Finally Opts For The Hard Road As Tension Rises

The expulsion of Nyesom Wike from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) at the factional convention held in Ibadan has confirmed what many already suspected: the party is deeply divided. Whether described as factions, tendencies, or internal disagreements, the split has now widened into a clear rift.

For years, the PDP struggled to manage internal tensions, particularly with Wike’s confrontational style and the belief that he had become untouchable within the party. His actions, influence, and ministerial appointment were seen by many party leaders as destabilising.

The party finally reached a point where expulsion appeared to be the only option. However, this decision carries its own consequences. Several governors and state chapters have already rejected the Ibadan convention and are threatening to break away, suggesting that the PDP’s troubles are far from over.

The expulsion raises questions about the party’s future ahead of the 2027 elections. With the ADC weakened, Labour Party disorganised, and NNPP split, Nigeria’s opposition remains fragmented.

Despite this, politicians, ever optimistic still insist they will be the ones to beat in 2027, even as their parties lack strong ideological foundations and operate more as platforms for personal ambition than as true political organisations.

Party defections remain rampant because Nigeria’s political elite rarely uphold ideological loyalty. Instead, they move freely between parties in pursuit of power, with little consequence.

In this environment, the expulsion of a big figure like Wike is unlikely to go unchallenged. Legal battles are expected, and public funds will likely finance them, adding another layer of burden on citizens whose interests rarely shape political decisions.

Nigeria’s democracy continues to defy logic. The system is characterised by movement without direction active politics but little meaningful progress. For the PDP, removing Wike may seem like a corrective step, but rebuilding a fractured party is a difficult process, especially when internal leadership appears uncertain. With Atiku now distanced, and Peter Obi yet to stabilise politically, the question of who will steer the PDP remains open.

The location of the factional convention suggests that Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde may be emerging as a central figure in the party. There is speculation that he could even be positioned as the party’s 2027 presidential candidate.

However, Bala Mohammed of Bauchi State is also believed to be interested. Analysts argue that northern political actors may deliberately allow a southern candidate to run in 2027, an election many believe the PDP cannot win, while positioning themselves for a stronger bid in 2031.

Makinde, now in his second term and with no risk of losing his gubernatorial seat, would have little personal cost in accepting the presidential ticket. As has long been said in Nigerian politics, public funds often fuel campaigns more than personal resources.

History shows that expulsion of party leaders is not new. During the Abacha era, several leaders who defied party directives were expelled. Even the case of Bola Ige, who served in Obasanjo’s administration while still associated with the Alliance for Democracy, stirred controversy, though it was handled with more political maturity than what the PDP has shown in recent years.

The collapse of the relationship between former allies like Makinde and Wike illustrates how far the party has drifted. The PDP also missed critical opportunities to reconcile its internal crises after Atiku’s exit, allowing divisions to deepen.

The broader issue remains the dominance of selfish interest in Nigerian politics. Both the PDP and APC face the same internal dynamics of power struggle. The PDP once boasted it would rule for sixty years but fell after sixteen. The APC may appear strong today, but without careful management, it could follow the same path.

For now, Wike’s fate rests with the courts. Whether he has outlived his usefulness to the presidency remains a political question.

In the world of politics, every decision is ultimately measured in votes—what it adds and what it costs. That logic continues to dictate the behaviour of Nigeria’s political class and the direction of its parties.