ASABA/Nigeria: Despite ongoing efforts to douse the flames of crisis within the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), deepening cracks in the party’s unity have once again taken center stage in national discourse. The latest salvo came from Emmanuel Ogidi, Chairman of the PDP South-South Zonal Working Committee, who in an exclusive interview on Arise News, gave a blunt assessment of the situation and the divisive role of former Rivers State Governor and current Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike.
“I cannot pretend to say that Wike has dug deep in the party, so removing him won’t be easy,” Ogidi said, acknowledging the political weight Wike still commands within the PDP even while openly aligning with the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
Ogidi’s comments followed a controversial stakeholders’ meeting convened earlier in the week by Wike, widely seen as an attempt to tighten his grip on the PDP’s direction. At that meeting, participants reaffirmed Senator Samuel Anyanwu as PDP National Secretary—a move that has drawn sharp criticism over both its legality and intent.
“The former governor of Rivers State called a group of persons and said they were stakeholders. But we have organs in PDP that follow due process,” Ogidi declared, stressing that only the party’s National Executive Committee (NEC) is empowered to take binding decisions—not what he described as “political gestures.”
Kamaruin Aisha Ajisaf, the PDP National Vice Chairman and member of the National Working Committee (NWC), also dismissed Wike’s meeting as lacking legitimacy. Statements from the PDP and the Conference of Professionals described the gathering as a “futile effort by a fading political faction with zero relevance in the party’s future.”
Ogidi was scathing in his assessment of Wike’s current allegiance. “He has told the whole world that he’s working for Mr. President. That tells you his heart left PDP long ago. He’s been pretending, but people know,” he said.
With frustrations mounting over what many see as the PDP’s hesitance to act decisively, Ogidi hinted at imminent measures. He revealed that key discussions and possible sanctions against Wike and his allies are slated for the NEC meeting scheduled for June 30.
“We have procedures. We don’t want to go to court again—too many cases have done damage. But the disciplinary committee has made recommendations, and we will address them,” Ogidi assured.
He also made an emotional appeal to party faithful and Nigerians. “PDP is like a tree. Yes, we are shedding leaves, but the tree still stands tall. We are grassroots-based, and our roots are deep.”
Ogidi did not shy away from acknowledging the party’s past missteps. “I want to apologize again on behalf of the party that we let Nigerians down. But they are now seeing the other side of the APC, and the comparison is clear,” he said.
Looking ahead, Ogidi expressed confidence in the PDP’s revival. “We are using this time before the next election cycle to rebuild. By the time we have our convention, people will see the beauty of the PDP again.”
As the PDP prepares for the crucial NEC meeting later this month, the question on many minds is whether the party will at last confront its internal contradictions or continue to grapple with divisions that threaten its future as a viable opposition.
