In the aftermath of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) National Convention, in Ibadan, Oyo State weekend, there are indications that the battle for control of the opposition party, ahead of the next general election, would shift to the states in the coming days.

This is as loyalists of the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) are reportedly plotting a counter-offensive in the battle for the control of the major opposition party, in the run-up to the 2027 polls.

The PDP convention, presided over by the immediate past national chairman, Umar Damagum, had announced the expulsion of the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike; former Ekiti State governor, Ayo Fayose; national secretary, Senator Samuel Anyanwu; Dan Orbih, amongst others.

The State Working Committee (SWC) of the party in Abia, Imo, Akwa Ibom and Cross River states were also dissolved.

The convention had in attendance Governors Bala Mohammed, Seyi Makinde, Ahmadu Fintiri, Dauda Lawal and Caleb Mutfwang of Bausch, Oyo, Adamawa, Zamfara and Plateau states respectively, amongst other party leaders. However, Fintiri and Mutfwang have distanced themselves from the expulsion.

The expulsion of the FCT minister and his loyalists is the climax in the battle for supremacy between him and the PDP Governors Forum, led by Bauchi governor, Bala Mohammed and Oyo governor, Seyi Makinde, which has polarised different organs of the party.

Sources close to the Wike camp told Daily Sun that following the latest twist in the crisis, loyalists of the FCT Ministers have been consulting on their next line of action.

The source said the Wike camp would meet in Abuja during the week to evaluate the situation extensively and thereafter launch a counter-offensive.

•Ibadan convention, a jamboree

Anyanwu, in a telephone interview, told Daily Sun that they were not perturbed by what happened in Ibadan, noting that the event was more of a jamboree than a PDP convention.

He noted that the opposition party was yet to hold its convention, stating that at the appropriate time, he would write to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) on plans for the PDP convention.

“I just heard it like every other person that at the jamboree they did in Oyo State, led by Makinde and Bala, that they have expelled themselves and not me. One, because they have no locus to expel me. Two, that was not a convention of the party. A convention of the party that INEC was not invited to? No letter was written to INEC by myself as the national secretary of the party. So, how is that a convention?

“You know that statutorily, we should give INEC 21 days’ notice. And no such letter was communicated to INEC. That is the reason I was not there. Aside from that, INEC is a party to a court judgment (stopping the convention). Outside that, they (INEC) are obeying the court of judgment.

“Out of 36 states, including the FCT, only 17 states showed up; will you call that a convention? Makinde just built a motor garage, so he invited people to come and open the garage. That is all.

“I remain the national secretary of the party. Unfortunately, Damagum subjected himself to such a gathering, and while he was there, they dissolved him. So, from that moment, he was no longer the chairman of the party, even though he had been on suspension. We are not perturbed. At the appropriate time, I will communicate to INEC.”

Daily Sun also gathered that while the opposition party awaits the verdict of the Court of Appeal, on the judgment of a Federal High Court, which directed that the national convention be put on hold over non-compliance with extant rules, the gladiators were taking the battle to the states, in a bid to ensure they control more states.

Party sources say following the dissolution of the SWC in Imo, Abia, Cross River and Akwa Ibom by the Ibadan convention, the new NWC elected in Ibadan would be putting in place caretaker committees in the affected states, while the sacked executives, who have dismissed their ouster, would continue to maintain their stance, a development that will lead to parallel structures in the states.

Already, there are parallel leaderships in Edo and Bayelsa state chapters of the PDP, as well as the South-South and South East Zonal Working Committee (ZWC) of the opposition party.

•Gbenga-Hashim calls for reconciliation

However, chieftain of the PDP and former presidential aspirant, Gbenga Olawepo-Hashim, has called for immediate reconciliation and a return to the original principles of the party.

In a statement yesterday, he expressed concern that the country’s democracy is at stake if the main opposition party remains in crisis.

The party chieftain, while noting that this is not the season to expel members, said the PDP should focus on reconciliation and bringing new members into its fold to save the opposition party and ultimately save Nigeria’s democracy.

He argued that the party’s revival depends on genuine unity and purposeful reconciliation and urged leaders to commit to a single watchword: “We must not leave anyone behind.”

He also cautioned that “the current path of fragmentation, court-induced confusion, and exclusionary politics is a dangerous departure from the party’s foundational ideals.

“Inclusion, not exclusion, is the tradition of the PDP. We must strive to bring all sides back to the table to save the PDP and save Nigeria’s democracy.”

• Turnah dismisses expulsion claims

The Zonal Secretary, South-South and caretaker Chairman of Bayelsa State PDP, George Turnah, has described as laughable his purported expulsion.

Turnah, in a statement by his Media Assistant, Kelvin Loveday Egbo, issued in Yenagoa, while referring to the event in Ibadan as a “social gathering’’ added that reports of his expulsion were fake and baseless.

“It is nothing more than a pitiful display of desperation from certain political opportunists and mischief-makers within the Party. Such claims hold no merit and can be dismissed as “good riddance to bad rubbish.”

Turnah, who insisted that the PDP has not held another national convention aside from the one held in 2022 to elect the party’s 2023 presidential candidate, added that the PDP constitution has provisions for procedures to follow to discipline erring members of the party to ensure fair hearing.

“It should be noted that there has not been any legitimate PDP National Convention held anywhere in Nigeria since the last one conducted in 2022, which was for the purpose of nominating the Party’s Presidential candidate for the 2023 Presidential elections. Moreover, the PDP’s Constitution clearly and unambiguously outlines offences and the corresponding disciplinary procedures to be followed, ensuring the right to a fair hearing as a prerequisite for any disciplinary action.”

Turnah, while maintaining that he remains a bona fide member and a duly elected official of the PDP with ‘’unwavering commitment to its ideals’’ declares that his loyalty to the national leader of the party and Wike, remains “steadfast’’ and ‘’unshakeable.’’ (The Sun)