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The Cyclical Struggles of Nigeria’s Peoples Democratic Party
There is an old saying that what goes around comes around, a timeless warning from previous generations. Another adage advises caution when plotting against others, reminding us that consequences are inevitable, no matter how long they take to manifest.
Internal Turmoil and Public Unrest
This wisdom resonates deeply with the current predicament of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), once hailed as Africa’s largest political party. Recently, Nigerians witnessed a violent clash among PDP factions at the party’s national secretariat, Wadata Plaza in Abuja. The confrontation escalated to the point where police deployed tear gas to restore order, forcing many to flee the suffocating atmosphere. Over the past two years, the PDP’s reputation has been marred by internal conflicts and public scandals, raising serious doubts about its future viability.
Key Players in the Party’s Power Struggle
The discord involves several influential groups within the PDP: the PDP Governors’ Forum (PDPGF), led by a handful of remaining governors; former Rivers State Governor Nyesom Wike; the party’s national secretary, Senator Sam Anyanwu; ex-national chairman Ambassador Umar Iliya Damagum; the Board of Trustees under former Senate President Adolphus Wabara; as well as members of the National Assembly, state party chairmen, and other stakeholders.
The Ibadan Convention: A Turning Point
Between November 15 and 16, 2025, the PDP convened its national convention in Ibadan, Oyo State. Many of the aforementioned figures attended, engaging in heated debates and strategic maneuvers. The convention boldly defied the party’s estranged national secretary, Anyanwu, who had declared the event illegitimate. In response, the convention suspended Anyanwu, Wike, and nine other leaders, including South-South zonal chairman Chief Dan Osi Orbih. It also dissolved the Damagum-led National Working Committee (NWC), appointing Alhaji Tanimu Turaki, SAN, a former Minister under President Goodluck Jonathan, as the new chairman. This move openly challenged the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), which had abstained from the event due to a preceding court injunction.
Historical Betrayals and the 2023 Election Fallout
Many Nigerians might have sympathized with the pro-democracy activists at Wadata Plaza, but genuine empathy for the PDP is harder to muster. The party’s current chaos resembles a train wreck foretold by years of internal betrayal and factionalism. The 2023 presidential election exposed deep fractures, as conspiracies aimed at undermining Atiku Abubakar, the party’s 2022 presidential primary winner, unfolded. While the PDP’s campaign rhetoric emphasized “equity, justice, and fairness,” many governors appeared indifferent or divided, weakening the party’s cohesion.
The inability of party elders to mediate these conflicts led to the downfall of then-chairman Dr. Iyorchia Ayu, consolidating power within dominant factions. Attempts to introduce neutral leadership were thwarted by the PDPGF, led by Governor Bala Mohammed, who resisted candidates capable of independent leadership. Names like Senators David Mark, Bukola Saraki, and Gabriel Suswam surfaced as potential leaders, but internal conspiracies ensured the party remained under the sway of entrenched interests.
Leadership Conflicts and Defections
Senator Sam Anyanwu’s departure to contest the Imo governorship, followed by his return to claim the national secretary position, further complicated the party’s dynamics. This move angered the South-East PDP caucus, which had endorsed Hon. Udeh Okoye as his successor. Meanwhile, Damagum and Anyanwu’s leadership failed to halt the party’s decline, as defections to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) increased and internal disputes paralyzed decision-making.
Efforts to convene the National Executive Committee (NEC) were repeatedly stalled, deepening disillusionment among members. By mid-2025, several governors had exited the PDP, turning it into a shadow of its former self. Rumors circulated that the party might not field a presidential candidate in 2027, despite rejecting alliances with other political groups.
The Cycle of Political Retribution
The tear gas incident at Wadata Plaza symbolizes the self-inflicted wounds within the PDP. The factional battles have escalated beyond control, with leadership unable to unify the party. The question remains: when did the party’s unity truly fracture? With key figures like Atiku and Mark sidelined, why do internal conflicts persist?
Politics is often a game of shifting alliances and interests, as British diplomat Lord Palmerston famously noted: “In politics, there are no permanent friends, only permanent interests.” However, even in such a fluid environment, adherence to agreed rules is crucial. The PDP’s recent history shows a pattern of moving goalposts mid-game, undermining trust and stability.
In 2014, Atiku Abubakar led a faction of governors and members out of the PDP to join the APC, protesting President Jonathan’s re-election bid on regional grounds. This defection contributed to the PDP’s 2015 electoral defeat. In a twist of fate, Atiku faced similar internal opposition in 2023, as the G5 governors conspired against him, leading to another electoral loss. The party’s leadership struggles have thus come full circle, with former allies now adversaries.
Looking Ahead: Uncertain Prospects for the PDP
The PDP’s ongoing internal warfare raises serious questions about its future as a viable political force in Nigeria. The once-prominent party now grapples with fragmentation, defections, and leadership crises. As the adage warns, what goes around comes around – the consequences of past actions continue to reverberate, shaping the party’s destiny. Only time will reveal whether the PDP can overcome its current challenges or fade into political obscurity.
(Originally published by the Sunday Tribune, November 23, 2025)
