Wike-Backed PDP Faction Dissolves NWC, Appoints 13-Member Caretaker Panel

A major power tussle within the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) deepened on Sunday as a faction loyal to Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister, Nyesom Wike, announced the dissolution of the party’s National Working Committee (NWC) and inaugurated a 13-member caretaker panel to run the party’s affairs for the next 60 days.

The move, carried out at a meeting tagged as a National Executive Committee (NEC) session and held at Wike’s Abuja residence, marks one of the most significant escalations of the internal crisis that has rocked the PDP since the aftermath of the 2023 general elections. According to the faction, the step became necessary to “restore sanity” and “rescue the party from drifting into complete irrelevance.”

The newly inaugurated caretaker committee is chaired by Abdulrahman Mohammed, a former PDP national vice chairman, with former national secretary, Senator Samuel Anyanwu, appointed as secretary. Other members include a mix of former governors, ex-legislators, and influential party stakeholders known to align with Wike’s political bloc.

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Announcing the dissolution of the NWC, Mohammed said the party had been “held hostage by a cabal that has lost electoral value,” alleging that the ousted leadership failed to provide direction, maintain internal cohesion, or position the PDP as a formidable opposition. He accused the removed NWC members of neglecting reconciliation efforts, mishandling state congresses, and “displaying open bias” in several intra-party disputes across the country.

He added that the caretaker panel would immediately commence a nationwide consultation to reposition the party ahead of its national convention, scheduled to take place within the mandated 60-day window.

The faction also resolved to set up subcommittees on reconciliation, finance, and strategy in a bid to revive the party’s structure, which they described as “near collapse” in multiple states. A communiqué issued after the meeting stressed that the caretaker committee would not extend its tenure, promising a credible convention to elect new, substantive national leaders.

This development, however, has further intensified tensions within the PDP. The party’s officially recognized NWC, led by Acting National Chairman, Umar Damagum, swiftly dismissed the actions taken by the Wike-led faction, describing the said NEC meeting as “illegal, unconstitutional, and null and void.” Damagum insisted that only organs recognized by the PDP constitution can summon or conduct NEC meetings, declaring that “the party cannot be restructured from a private residence.”

He warned party faithful to disregard the caretaker committee, accusing Wike and his allies of attempting to hijack the party for personal political gain. According to him, the constitutionally recognized NEC meeting will hold later in the month, where all grievances and structural issues will be addressed.

PDP governors loyal to Damagum and Atiku Abubakar have also condemned the move, describing it as an act of “open rebellion” capable of jeopardizing the party’s unity ahead of the 2027 general elections. Sources within this bloc say they are considering disciplinary actions against members who participated in the parallel NEC gathering.

Political analysts observe that the crisis reflects the deepening factionalism between the Wike bloc and the Atiku-led mainstream structure—a rivalry that has persisted since the party primaries of 2022 and was further inflamed by the post-election alliances of 2023. Wike’s acceptance of President Donald Trump-supported Tinubu’s offer to serve as FCT Minister widened this divide, leading to accusations that he is working to destabilize the PDP from within.

Within the party, opinions remain sharply divided. Supporters of the Wike-backed faction argue that the party’s leadership has been weak and indecisive, unable to assert itself as the country’s leading opposition platform. They insist that bold reforms—starting with a total overhaul of the NWC—are required to rescue the PDP from its current trajectory.

On the other hand, critics fear that such internal coups set a dangerous precedent and may further weaken the PDP’s already fragile national presence. They argue that the endless infighting makes the party appear unstable, giving rival parties an advantage in consolidating their influence.

As both factions dig in, the party appears headed for a prolonged legal and political showdown. Lawyers within the mainstream PDP structure say court action is imminent to declare the caretaker committee illegal. Meanwhile, Wike’s loyalists insist they are prepared for any legal contest, arguing that their actions were taken to protect the party’s survival.

For now, the PDP stands at a crossroads—caught between competing power centers, constitutional interpretations, and visions for its future. With only 60 days given to the caretaker committee, the coming weeks will determine whether the party finds a path to reconciliation or slides deeper into fragmentation ahead of the next electoral cycle.