By Our Correspondent
The crisis within the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) has taken a dramatic turn in Ondo State, as a faction loyal to Nyesom Wike moves to establish its own leadership structure.
In a bold show of strength, the Wike-backed group held a parallel congress in Akure, producing a new set of state executives led by Olaniyi Ogungbuji as chairman. The move points to a deepening battle for control of the party’s structure at the state level.
But the recognized PDP leadership in Ondo has dismissed the exercise, branding it illegal and refusing to acknowledge the newly announced executives. This has left the party with two rival camps, each claiming legitimacy and authority.
The situation in Ondo reflects a wider internal rift within the PDP, where competing factions continue to clash over leadership and direction. Lingering disputes, including controversies surrounding party conventions, have further fueled the divisions.
While supporters of the Wike-aligned faction insist their actions are aimed at repositioning the party ahead of the 2027 elections, critics warn that the emergence of parallel structures could weaken unity within the ranks.
Despite the visible cracks, Wike has maintained that the PDP remains one united party.
As tensions rise, attention now turns to how the party will navigate this internal conflict and what it could mean for its future political strength.
