In a stunning turn of events, Nyesom Wike, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory and former Rivers State Governor, made an unexpected appearance at a high-stakes Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Governors’ Forum meeting in Abuja on Sunday night, igniting speculation about his political future ahead of the 2027 elections. The dramatic move, described by insiders as a potential game-changer, marks Wike’s first formal engagement with the PDP in months amid ongoing internal crises and a wave of defections rocking the opposition party.
The meeting, held at the Bauchi State Governor’s Lodge in Asokoro, was convened by the PDP Governors’ Forum Chairman, Governor Bala Mohammed of Bauchi State, to address the party’s leadership crisis and strategize for the upcoming National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting scheduled for May 27, 2025. Wike’s arrival at approximately 9:23 p.m., dressed in a black jalabiya and white cap, sent shockwaves through the gathering, given his central role in the PDP’s breakaway G5 faction and his close ties to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC)-led federal government.
Wike’s presence was particularly notable as he has been at odds with the PDP’s national leadership, fueling rumors of a possible defection to the APC. His alignment with President Bola Tinubu’s administration, coupled with his outspoken criticism of the PDP Governors’ Forum and former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, had cast doubts on his loyalty to the party. Yet, on Sunday, he sat alongside current and former PDP colleagues, prompting questions about whether this signals a détente or a strategic recalibration for 2027.
The closed-door session brought together a powerhouse of PDP heavyweights, including seven serving governors: Seyi Makinde (Oyo), Ademola Adeleke (Osun), Caleb Mutfwang (Plateau), Ahmadu Fintiri (Adamawa), Peter Mbah (Enugu), Dauda Lawal (Zamfara), and Agbu Kefas (Taraba). Notably absent was Akwa Ibom State Governor Umo Eno, whose absence fueled speculation about his rumored leanings toward the APC.
The meeting also saw the attendance of numerous former PDP governors, including Bukola Saraki (Kwara), Ahmed Makarfi (Kaduna), Seriake Dickson (Bayelsa), Olagunsoye Oyinlola (Osun), Achike Udenwa (Imo), Liyel Imoke (Cross River), Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi (Enugu), Okezie Ikpeazu (Abia), Samuel Ortom (Benue), Idris Wada (Kogi), Mu’azu Babangida Aliyu (Niger), Adamu Mu’azu (Bauchi), Udom Emmanuel (Akwa Ibom), Aminu Tambuwal (Sokoto), Gabriel Suswam (Benue), Sule Lamido (Jigawa), and Ibrahim Dankwambo (Gombe). These former governors, many of whom remain influential within the party, added weight to the discussions.
Representing the PDP’s National Working Committee (NWC) were Acting National Chairman Umar Damagum, National Organizing Secretary Umar Bature, and National Legal Adviser Kamardeen Ajibade. The presence of such a broad spectrum of party leaders underscored the meeting’s significance as the PDP grapples with internal divisions and defections.
According to sources, the meeting focused on several critical issues threatening the PDP’s unity and electoral prospects. Key among them was the wave of defections that have hit the party, including the recent departure of Delta State Governor Sheriff Oborevwori, his predecessor Ifeanyi Okowa, and three Kebbi State senators—Adamu Aliero, Yahaya Abdullahi, and Garba Maidoki—to the APC. These defections have raised concerns about the PDP’s ability to maintain its status as Nigeria’s main opposition party.
The ongoing leadership crisis within the PDP’s NWC, particularly disputes over the National Secretary position, was also a focal point. The party has been battling internal wrangling, with factional struggles between camps loyal to Wike and Atiku Abubakar complicating consensus-building. Additionally, the meeting reviewed the party’s legal challenge against the emergency rule declaration in Rivers State, a contentious issue tied to Wike’s feud with his successor, Governor Siminalayi Fubara.
Insiders suggest that Wike’s attendance may have been an attempt to reassert his influence within the PDP, particularly as the party prepares for its NEC meeting. However, his presence also sparked skepticism, with some X users describing it as a sign of the PDP’s “directionlessness.” One post remarked, “Any meeting where Wike is present is a waste of time, showing the PDP is not coordinated and ready for 2027.”
Wike’s appearance was all the more significant given his leadership of the G5 faction—a group of former PDP governors who opposed Atiku Abubakar’s presidential candidacy in 2023. Three G5 members—Samuel Ortom, Okezie Ikpeazu, and Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi—were present at the meeting, reinforcing Wike’s enduring influence within the party despite his APC affiliations. The G5’s actions have been a source of tension, with some party members accusing Wike of undermining the PDP’s unity.
The meeting also touched on the lingering crisis in Rivers State, where Wike’s rift with Governor Fubara has destabilized the PDP’s grip on the state. Previous attempts by the PDP Governors’ Forum and other party bodies to mediate have failed, and the issue remains a thorn in the party’s side. The governors reportedly discussed strategies to prevent further escalation, especially as the crisis has fueled defections and weakened the PDP’s regional influence.
Wike’s surprise attendance has left analysts and party members divided. Some see it as a pragmatic move to maintain relevance within the PDP while keeping his options open with the APC. Others view it as a potential olive branch to mend fences ahead of the 2027 elections. However, his critics within the party, including those aligned with Atiku, remain wary, pointing to his past warnings that the PDP risks repeating its 2023 electoral losses if internal issues persist.
The PDP Governors’ Forum meeting has set the stage for a contentious NEC meeting later this month, where decisions on leadership, constitutional amendments, and electoral strategies will be critical. For now, Wike’s dramatic return to the PDP fold has added a new layer of intrigue to Nigeria’s political landscape, with all eyes on whether he will steer the party toward unity or further division.
Stay tuned for more updates as the PDP navigates its turbulent path to 2027!
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