The battle for control of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) ahead of the 2027 elections has shifted to the states. As PDP prepares for congresses in 20 states, key players are gearing up for intense competition.
The Sun reported that on August 31, congresses will be held in Akwa Ibom, Bayelsa, Cross River, Delta, Rivers, Kano, Kastina, Benue, Kaduna, and Plateau states.
The remaining congresses will take place in Taraba, Bauchi, Gombe, Enugu, Imo, Abia, Ogun, Ondo, Ekiti, Edo, Anambra, and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
A document from the PDP national secretariat outlines ward and local government congresses on July 27 and August 10, respectively.
The PDP National Executive Committee (NEC) will meet on September 26 to confirm elected executives and possibly decide on a new national chairman.
The lead-up to the state congresses has heightened tensions within the party, with notable rifts in at least 12 states, including Kano, Kastina, Rivers, Edo, and Ogun.
The struggle for control has been fierce, especially between supporters of former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and Minister of the FCT, Nyesom Wike. Their rivalry is part of a broader conflict over who will steer the PDP toward the 2027 elections.
Additionally, a South East party leader told reporters, “You know we have camps. Camp Atiku (Abubakar). Camp (Nyesom) Wike. There is even a third camp now made up of people who do not agree with Wike and Atiku."
"Some PDP members are mobilizing to take back their party. Like you know, it is those elected at congresses that will ultimately decide the shape of the party going forward. It is these Congresses that will show who is in charge.”
Amid this power tussle, caretaker committees in some states attempted to enforce a revalidation of party membership. However, the National Working Committee (NWC) overruled this move, stating that old members do not need to revalidate their membership, aiming to prevent the exclusion of certain factions.
In states like Ebonyi and Edo, party leaders are deeply divided, each camp vying for control of the PDP's future direction. The upcoming congresses will significantly influence who will lead the party into the next electoral cycle.