PDP NEC Meeting: Wike, Ortom Face Possible Sanctions as Party Prepares for Convention

The People’s Democratic Party (PDP) will today hold its 102nd National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting in Abuja, with critical decisions expected on party discipline, internal unity, and preparations for its forthcoming national convention scheduled for November 15 and 16, 2025, in Ibadan, Oyo State.

The meeting comes at a defining moment for Nigeria’s main opposition party, as it grapples with the issue of anti-party activities allegedly committed by some of its most influential members, including the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, and former Benue State governor, Samuel Ortom.

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Disciplinary Report Targets Wike, Ortom

Ahead of the NEC gathering, the Tom Ikimi-led disciplinary committee submitted its report to the party’s National Working Committee (NWC). The report reportedly recommends sanctions against several top members indicted for undermining the PDP during the last general elections.

The panel received multiple petitions against Wike, Ortom, and their allies, accusing them of supporting rival parties in key contests. Wike, in particular, has remained one of the most controversial figures within the PDP since openly clashing with the party’s leadership over its handling of the presidential primary in 2022.

While the NEC is expected to debate the disciplinary committee’s findings, party insiders suggest that a final decision on sanctions may not be immediate. A senior NWC member told reporters:

“It will be discussed, but whether it would get to the level of sanctioning him (Wike), I am not going to guarantee that.”

Convention Preparations Dominate Agenda

Beyond disciplinary matters, the forthcoming PDP national convention will dominate discussions at the NEC meeting. At its 101st NEC session, the party approved November 15–16 as the dates for the convention, where new national officers will be elected.

The PDP’s Deputy National Publicity Secretary, Ibrahim Abdullahi, said all preparations had been concluded for the NEC meeting, which he promised would be peaceful.

“It is going to be a very successful outing. NEC members have already been arriving. The venue is guaranteed, and the NWC is in session. The outcome will be communicated later in the day after the meeting,” Abdullahi told Daily Trust.

He added that the NEC would review progress since its last meeting, with particular focus on the Convention Planning Committee.

Wike’s Opposition and Zonal Leadership Tussle

Wike has openly opposed the scheduled convention date, arguing that his camp was not properly consulted. In addition, he has insisted that the PDP recognize a South-South congress organized by his loyalists, which produced Dan Orbih as zonal chairman.

However, the NWC rejected the congress, dismissing it as irregular and unauthorized. This deepened existing rifts between Wike’s faction and the mainstream PDP leadership.

Despite Wike’s resistance, other senior figures within the party have dismissed the notion that he could derail the convention. Former PDP National Secretary, Ibrahim Tsauri, stressed that the NEC would go ahead with its decisions regardless of individual opposition.

“The convention is going to hold. One single person, no matter how highly placed, is not NEC, is not NWC, is not even a governor,” Tsauri said.

Calls for Discipline

Several PDP stakeholders have argued that the party must demonstrate firmness in handling acts of indiscipline. Party chieftain Conrad Terhide Utaan urged the NEC to move beyond rhetoric and impose sanctions where necessary.

“It’s high time the party moved from barking to biting. If any member frustrates a valid decision of the party, then sanctions must apply,” Utaan declared.

This view reflects growing frustration among PDP loyalists who believe that the party’s indecisiveness in tackling dissent has weakened its credibility and cohesion.

The Wike Factor

Since being appointed Minister of the Federal Capital Territory by President Bola Tinubu of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Wike has been accused of straddling both parties—retaining influence within the PDP while working closely with the ruling APC government.

This dual political identity has unsettled many within the PDP, who accuse him of deepening divisions and undermining party unity. The NEC meeting is widely seen as a litmus test for how far the PDP is willing to go in asserting discipline, even if it means taking on powerful members.

Eyes on Ibadan Convention

As the NEC deliberates today, all roads lead to the Ibadan convention in November, which will shape the PDP’s leadership structure for the next four years. Party insiders see the convention as a chance to reset and rebuild trust among members, particularly as the party positions itself for the 2027 general elections.

However, the success of the convention will depend on the NEC’s ability to resolve internal conflicts, enforce discipline, and reassure members that no faction will be allowed to dictate terms to the entire party.

Today’s NEC meeting presents a pivotal opportunity for the PDP to confront its internal challenges head-on. Whether or not immediate sanctions are imposed on Wike, Ortom, and other accused members, the signal sent by the NEC will determine the party’s capacity to enforce discipline and project unity ahead of its national convention.

For many observers, the key question is whether the PDP will finally assert itself as a united opposition force or continue to be bogged down by internal rifts. With the November convention fast approaching, the decisions taken today in Abuja could very well define the future direction of the party.