Date: March 24, 2026 l Reporter: Stephen Iwuh
The internal crisis rocking Nigeria’s main opposition party, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), has taken a dramatic turn as a faction loyal to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, unveiled a parallel set of executives in Ondo State, further intensifying divisions within the party.
The faction formally inaugurated its state executive members following a congress held in Akure, the Ondo State capital, where key party officials emerged to lead the group.
At the congress, Olaniyi Ogungbuji was elected as the factional state chairman, while Yagba Timilehin emerged as the state secretary. The exercise reportedly took place under the watch of representatives of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), alongside security agencies including the Department of State Services and the police.
Speaking during the event, officials of the faction described the move as part of efforts to reposition the PDP and strengthen its chances ahead of the 2027 general elections. They emphasized the need for unity among members and called on aggrieved party loyalists to return and work collectively for the party’s future.
The newly elected chairman, Ogungbuji, in his acceptance speech, pledged to lead efforts aimed at rebuilding the party’s structure in the state, urging members to put aside internal disagreements and focus on mobilization and electoral success.
However, the development has been strongly rejected by the existing PDP leadership in Ondo State led by Dupe Aisida, which dismissed the factional congress as illegitimate and lacking any constitutional backing.
Reacting to the development, the state Publicity Secretary of the Aisida-led executive, Wande Ajayi, described the exercise as a “charade,” insisting that the party had already conducted its legitimate congresses at ward and local government levels in accordance with party guidelines.
He further questioned the credibility of the faction’s process, arguing that a valid state congress could not take place without proper foundational structures, thereby dismissing the newly announced executives as irrelevant to the official party structure.
The emergence of parallel leadership in Ondo adds to a growing list of internal conflicts within the PDP, particularly between factions aligned with Wike and other party stakeholders, as reconciliation efforts at the national level continue to face setbacks.
Political analysts warn that the ongoing fragmentation could weaken the party’s chances ahead of the 2027 elections if urgent steps are not taken to resolve leadership disputes and unify its ranks.
As tensions continue to rise, the unfolding crisis in Ondo State reflects the broader struggle for control and direction within the PDP, raising fresh concerns about the stability and future of Nigeria’s opposition politics.