Fresh Trouble In Pdp As Ortom, Fayose Declare Support for Wike Faction
By Anamati Inyan ,November 3, 2025
The internal crisis rocking the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has taken a fresh turn as former governors Samuel Ortom of Benue State and Ayo Fayose of Ekiti State publicly declared their support for the Nyesom Wike-aligned faction of the party’s National Working Committee.
Their endorsements have widened the cracks within the opposition party and come amid renewed mobilisation efforts by loyalists of Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, and other governors seeking to counter Wike’s growing influence ahead of the party’s forthcoming national convention.
In separate statements on Sunday, Ortom and Fayose expressed confidence in the faction led by the party’s National Vice Chairman (North Central), Abdulrahman Mohammed, while faulting the acting National Chairman, Umar Damagum, for what they described as poor leadership and disregard for internal democracy.
Despite ongoing preparations for the party’s National Elective Convention scheduled for November 15 and 16 in Ibadan, the PDP remains deeply divided over control of structures, zoning, and convention logistics.
Supporters of Wike have accused the Damagum-led leadership of bias, particularly in handling disputes in the South-South zone and allegedly sidelining key stakeholders in convention planning.
Tensions escalated last Friday when the Federal High Court in Abuja issued an interim injunction halting the convention until the party complies with its constitution and relevant provisions of the Electoral Act.
Justice James Omotosho, who presided over the case, ordered the PDP to suspend all convention-related activities pending further directives- a ruling that has further fuelled internal divisions.
On Saturday, the Damagum-led National Working Committee announced the suspension of National Secretary, Senator Samuel Anyanwu; National Legal Adviser, Kamaldeen Ajibade (SAN); Deputy Legal Adviser, Okechukwu Osuoha; and National Organising Secretary, Umar Bature, for alleged anti-party conduct.
In a swift counter-move, the rival faction led by Anyanwu suspended Damagum, National Publicity Secretary Debo Ologunagba, Deputy National Chairman (South) Taofeek Arapaja, and others, accusing them of financial misconduct and incompetence.
Reacting to the deepening rift, Ortom blamed exclusionary politics and lack of consultation for the party’s current troubles.
“Democracy thrives when people of diverse views come together for the common good,” Ortom said. “Unfortunately, a few individuals have attempted to run the party without recourse to collective consultation.”
He described the emergence of Abdulrahman Mohammed as acting National Chairman as “a fresh opportunity to rebuild trust and restore unity” within the PDP, urging all party organs to embrace reconciliation.
Similarly, former Ekiti State governor, Fayose, threw his weight behind the suspension of Damagum, calling it “a necessary step to rescue the party from total collapse.”
