Uniting the PDP: Wike and Makinde's Meeting on 2027 Presidential Ambitions
2027: Wike Holds Talks with PDP Governors, Consents to Concede Certain Points to Bolster Internal Party Harmony
In a crucial move to strengthen the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) ahead of the 2027 presidential election, Governors Nyesom Wike and Seyi Makinde locked horns in a meeting in Lagos to tackle the party's internal conflicts. The crux of the conversation revolved around concessions, addressing litigation, and revisiting contentious subjects like the zonal congress, the National Secretary position, and the ongoing Rivers State political crisis.
The Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, acted as the PDP governors' spokesperson in this important meeting with Wike. The primary objective was to put an end to the political uproar in Rivers State, involving Wike and the suspended Governor, Sim Fubara, as well as to address concerns regarding the South-South zonal leadership, the National Secretary, and other relevant matters to balance the interests of both sides.
The PDP has been undergoing political turmoil since the 2023 elections. The situation escalated with the confrontation between Fubara and Wike in Rivers State and the contentious South-South zonal leadership, as well as the unresolved National Secretary position since December 2024.
Previous efforts by the PDP's leadership bodies, including the National Working Committee, Board of Trustees, National Executive Committee, and the PDP Governors Forum, to mediate have only intensified the divisions. Frustrated with the lack of resolution, many party leaders have turned their backs on the PDP, defecting to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) and blaming the PDP's internal issues for their decisions.
The latest blow to the PDP came with the defection of Delta State Governor, Sheriff Oborevwori, former Governor Ifeanyi Okowa, and other officials from the state to the APC, weakening the PDP's position ahead of the 2027 elections.
In an interview with PUNCH, a source close to Makinde shed light on the Lagos meeting. According to the source, Wike expressed concerns about the Governors Forum's recommendations, claiming they were made without considering party laws. He asserted that some of the positions taken by the governors were illegal. Furthermore, Wike admitted that despite the Forum's numerous positions, it had only escalated the situation rather than resolving it.
Wike communicated his dissatisfaction with the Forum's decisions regarding the National Secretary, South-South Zonal leadership, and the ongoing issues in Rivers State. However, he was open to staying in the party if the forum and party leadership reconsidered their positions to ensure harmony, unity, and help position the party for success.
Makinde also acknowledged the behavior of some officials had worsened the situation. He assured Wike of his support, emphasizing that everyone aimed to reposition the PDP. The source added that Makinde promised to brief the governors on or before the forum's next meeting and urged Wike to withdraw the pending litigation and focus on political solutions.
Similarly, a senior PDP National Working Committee member confirmed the meeting, noting it was intended to address unresolved matters and foster unity within the PDP. This meeting is part of broader efforts to mend the divides within the PDP and strengthen the party's cohesion for the 2027 elections[1][3][5].
Meanwhile, Atiku Abubakar, the PDP national leader, continues to engage stakeholders discreetly behind the scenes to find solutions and maintain unity within the party[1].
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- The meeting in Lagos between Governors Nyesom Wike and Seyi Makinde, in light of the 2027 presidential election for the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), discussed strategies to resolve internal conflicts, such as the Rivers State political crisis, South-South zonal leadership, and National Secretary position.
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- The People's Democratic Party (PDP) and Nigeria's All Progressives Congress (APC) have been facing increases in political defection, as seen with the recent departure of Delta State Governor, Sheriff Oborevwori, and former Governor Ifeanyi Okowa, to the APC, weakening the PDP's position leading up to the 2027 elections.
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