The internal crisis within the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has reignited, with tensions between factions loyal to Atiku Abubakar and Nyesom Wike escalating.
Atiku, who was the party’s presidential candidate in the 2023 general election, lost to Bola Tinubu of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and is currently contesting the election results in court.
The rift between Atiku and Wike deepened after Wike led a group of five PDP governors in rebellion against Atiku during the election. This internal division is believed to have contributed to Atiku’s electoral defeat.
Umar Ililya Damagum, the acting national chairman of the PDP, has been accused by Atiku’s loyalists of favoring Wike and working against the interests of Atiku. Damagum took over the position after Iyorchia Ayu was suspended by his ward in Benue state for alleged anti-party activities and subsequently lost a legal battle to retain his position.
In a move that could further worsen the internal crisis, Bola Tinubu, the APC candidate who defeated Atiku, has appointed Wike to his cabinet. This development could fuel tensions within the PDP even more.
According to our source, Atiku’s prominent supporters, including Sule Lamido, Babangida Aliyu, and Adamu Maina Waziri, have taken a stand against Damagum, accusing him of mismanaging the funds inherited from the previous national working committee (NWC) led by Ayu.
On the other hand, some of Atiku’s proxies have reportedly been engaging with Wike, seeking his support in the party’s election cases at the tribunals across the country.
The situation within the PDP remains volatile, and the clash between the factions loyal to Atiku and Wike poses significant challenges for the party’s unity and political strength.