Chidinma Iroegbu
Former Jigawa State Governor and founding member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Sule Lamido, has urged party members to support the caretaker leadership associated with the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, in an effort to stabilise the opposition party amid its deepening internal crisis.
Lamido’s position comes as the PDP continues to face major political setbacks following recent defections by several lawmakers to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) and the African Democratic Congress (ADC), developments that have cost the party its status as the minority party in the Senate.
The internal crisis has also raised concerns about the future of the opposition party, with growing political pressure reportedly being mounted on its remaining governors in Bauchi and Oyo states.
Amid the tension, the faction aligned with the PDP caretaker leadership recorded significant gains during state congresses held across several states at the weekend.
In Oyo State, a professor in the Department of Food Technology at the University of Ibadan, Abdulrahman Akinoso, emerged as chairman of the PDP faction loyal to the caretaker leadership during a congress held at the Obafemi Awolowo Stadium.
Akinoso was elected alongside 38 executive members, including Abiola Olaonipekun as secretary, Latifah Latifu as women leader and A. Adeleke as youth leader.
The congress was attended by representatives of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), officials of the Nigeria Police Force and other security agencies, as well as party stakeholders.
A similar development occurred in Kano State where 36 members of the PDP State Executive Council emerged through a consensus process conducted under the Mohammed Abdulrahman-led caretaker leadership.
In Borno State, Abbas Aliyu emerged as state chairman alongside 34 members of the State Executive Committee during a congress held in Maiduguri, the state capital, with INEC officials monitoring the exercise.
In Ekiti State, Lanre Omolase, an ally of former governor Ayodele Fayose, was elected chairman of the PDP state chapter, while former commissioner Tunde Ogunleye emerged as secretary along with other members of the State Working Committee.
However, the exercise witnessed disruption in Taraba State after two candidates were announced as consensus winners for the chairmanship position, triggering confusion among party members before security operatives intervened to restore order.
Further controversy emerged in Anambra State where party chieftain Amaechi Onowu alleged that the congress process was manipulated, while the PDP chapter in Ondo State dismissed reports that its State Executive Committee had been dissolved, describing the claim as a “political coup” and insisting that the state leadership remains intact.