Makinde Labels PDP Members With Wike As ‘Enemies Of Democracy’

Makinde Labels PDP Members With Wike as ‘Enemies of Democracy’ Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde has accused some members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) aligned with Minister of the Federal Capital Territory Nyesom Wike of acting contrary to democratic principles, declaring that those within the party who side with Wike are “enemies of the people and democracy.” Governor Makinde spoke on Sunday during a visit to Governor Bala Mohammed at Ramat House in Bauchi, where he condemned the factional crisis rocking the opposition party. According to Makinde, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), the judiciary and the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) have backed Wike’s camp in the PDP, a development he said undermines internal party democracy and national stability. Addressing journalists, Makinde insisted that lingering infighting within the PDP has eroded party cohesion, especially with some members backing the FCT Minister’s faction. Makinde’s remarks underscored deep divisions in the main opposition party ahead of the 2027 general elections, where unity is widely seen as crucial for the PDP’s electoral viability. He stressed that politicians who choose to align with the Wike‑led faction are not acting in the interest of Nigerians or democratic ideals, but rather contributing to further fragmentation of the opposition ahead of critical national polls. The remarks came against the backdrop of significant defections from the PDP, with more than 30 senators and a number of lawmakers defecting to other platforms, including the APC, amid ongoing internal rifts. In response, Senator Natasha Akpoti‑Uduaghan called on defectors to reconsider their departure and return to the PDP fold in time to contest the 2027 elections, asserting that unity is essential if the party is to present a credible alternative to the ruling party.

Akpoti‑Uduaghan lamented the loss of key party members and expressed concern that the inability to resolve internal disputes will weaken the PDP’s chances in future contests unless reconciliation efforts are deepened. The latest comments by Makinde reflect a widening power struggle within the PDP between governors and forces loyal to Wike’s leadership aspirations. The party has been engulfed in legal battles, competing claims to leadership, and episodes of violence at party gatherings, all of which have thrust its internal coherence into question. Efforts to reconcile rival camps and stabilize the party’s structure have seen intermittent progress, but critics argue that the continued public attacks among leading figures risk undermining the party’s base and effectiveness ahead of the 2027 elections. As the PDP attempts to navigate these internal conflicts, political analysts say the party’s ability to resolve its leadership crisis and reunify its members will be a defining factor in shaping its fortunes in the next general election.