In a dramatic twist that underscores deepening tensions within the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), the party’s National Working Committee (NWC) has announced the relocation of its much-anticipated national convention from Port Harcourt to Ibadan, Oyo State.
Party insiders say the move is a direct consequence of the escalating rift between Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State and the former Governor of Rivers State, Nyesom Wike, both of whom have been at loggerheads over key party leadership issues and control of internal structures.
Wike Withdraws from PDP Peace Deals, Accuses Makinde of Sabotage
Originally scheduled to be held in Port Harcourt, the convention was moved after disagreements reportedly emerged over logistics, security assurances, and perceived marginalization of certain party factions. The shift is seen by many as a political win for Governor Makinde, who is believed to have lobbied intensely for the venue change to assert his influence in the party’s Southwest bloc.
How Super Falcons Of Nigeria Survive Morocco First-Half Scare, Win 10th WAFCON Title
A senior party official, who spoke on condition of anonymity, described the venue change as “strategic,” saying, “Makinde has proven he is no longer a lightweight in the PDP. The party must acknowledge the emerging realities and respect regional balance.”
Wike, on the other hand, has remained silent publicly but sources close to his camp say he considers the relocation a deliberate attempt to undermine his legacy and ongoing relevance in PDP affairs, especially after recent moves by the national leadership to sideline his loyalists.
FLASH: The Day Wike Vowed Not to Be Minister 3 Times in 5 Seconds (SEE VIDEO)
Rivers State Is Not Lagos – Wike’s Old Video Kicking Against Godfatherism Emerge
The development has sparked fresh anxiety within the party’s ranks, with many expressing concerns over the impact of the Makinde-Wike rivalry on party unity ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Despite the internal squabbles, the PDP has maintained that the July 30, 2025 convention in Ibadan will proceed as planned, promising a “unifying and forward-looking gathering that will reposition the party for electoral victory.”
BREAKING: Makinde to Host PDP National Convention in Ibadan
Political observers now wait to see whether both camps will put aside their differences in the interest of party stability—or if the Ibadan convention will widen the cracks threatening the PDP’s cohesion.
ALSO READ: Obasanjo Recants on Atiku, Says My Watch Was Taken Out of Context
