Bauchi State Governor, Bala Mohammed, has said it is “over” for the faction loyal to Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, as the leadership crisis within the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, takes a more dramatic turn.
This comes as rival blocs, led by Governors Seyi Makinde of Oyo State and Bala Mohammed on one side, and Wike on the other, continue to battle for control of the party’s Abuja national secretariat.
Makinde had, on Tuesday, arrived at the secretariat with newly elected National Secretary, Taofeek Arapaja, insisting that the leadership produced at Saturday’s national convention in Ibadan stands.
Wike, however, maintained his support for Samuel Anyanwu, who insists his tenure as National Secretary remains valid until December 8, 2025.
The Wike camp has refused to recognise the outcome of the convention, which saw key changes to the PDP’s National Working Committee.
Speaking to ARISE News at the PDP national secretariat, Governor Mohammed said the Wike-led group lacks the legal authority to convene any Board of Trustees or National Executive Committee meetings or make use of the party’s headquarters.
“There is no BoT because that is an illegality,” he said. “We had a convention where some people were expelled, and even INEC does not recognise them. Yet they are being backed by the police to stage a charade BoT meeting.”
According to him, the convention has already invalidated Anyanwu’s position.
“The convention dissolved his time. A convention can dissolve any NWC anywhere,” he said.
On whether the new national chairman, Umar Damagum’s replacement, Turaki, is recognised by the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, Mohammed replied:
“Yes, he is. It’s a legal issue. INEC has acknowledged our notice. The idea that he is not recognised is a creation of one man called Wike, who believes he can pollute the political space with gangsterism, animism, and illegalism.”
He accused the Wike camp of attempting to destabilise the PDP and weaken opposition democracy in the country.
“The police should know this is not a faction. It is a splinter group that wants to destroy PDP and democracy because they are driven by arrogance, illiteracy, impunity, and impulse,” he said.
Mohammed insisted the convention was valid, noting that all court orders had been set aside.
“People must understand our legal system. We notified INEC, they acknowledged, and whether they choose to attend is their decision. The convention remains legal.”
Asked how the crisis could end if the Wike group continues its resistance, Mohammed declared:
“They are only being supported by the police and the media. But they should know it has come to an end. That is the end of hooliganism. They should leave us alone. Why must we be with this man? He is working with the APC—why won’t you ask him that?”
He accused Wike of openly undermining the PDP while serving in an APC-led Federal Government.
“Is it moral for him to boast that he will stay in APC to destroy us? Is it normal? Why should we tolerate that?” Mohammed said.
The PDP leadership crisis has deepened in recent days, with physical clashes, accusations of police bias, and competing claims of legitimacy threatening to push the party into its most consequential internal breakdown in years.
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