There are fears that the embattled major opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) may slide into factionalization following the removal of loyalists of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister, Nyesom Wike, due to anti-party activities.

Rising from its 608th National Working Committee (NWC) meeting in Abuja on Saturday, the party announced the suspension of four of its officials, including the national secretary, Senator Samuel Anyanwu, Umar Bature (National Organising Secretary), Kamaldeen Ajibade (National Legal Adviser), and the Deputy National Legal Adviser, Okechukwu Osuoha.

The NWC meeting, presided over by the party’s national chairman, Ambassador Umar Iliya Damagun, stated that the errant officials were suspended to pave the way for strengthening “our democracy and maintaining discipline among members, no matter how highly placed.”

While urging the party’s faithful to continue supporting the party in its efforts to reposition itself for greatness, the PDP explained that the officers’ suspension will last for a period of one month, stressing that their matter has been referred to the National Disciplinary Committee for further action.

It noted that in the absence of the National Secretary, the Deputy National Secretary, Hon. Arc. Setonji Koshoedo, is to act as the National Secretary, in line with Section 36(2) of the PDP Constitution.

“In the case of the National Legal Adviser and the Deputy National Legal Adviser, the National Director of Legal Services was directed to oversee the activities of the Department,” the PDP said.

The first signs that the PDP was heading towards another split emerged on September 2, 2025, when Wike and his group met in Abuja and formulated certain conditions that the party had to fulfil before the elective national convention could be held.

Those who attended the Abuja meeting included the embattled National Secretary, Anyanwu; the National Vice Chairman (South-South), Dan Orbih; former Abia Governor, Dr Okezie Ikpeazu; former Enugu Governor, Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi; former Ekiti Governor, Ayodele Fayose; former Senator representing Rivers East, George Sekibo; Rivers State Speaker; Senator Philip Tanimu Aduda; Hon Micah Jiba; and some Board of Trustees (BoT) members of the PDP.

In a communique read by the former Benue State governor, Ortom, the group stated that the chairmanship of the party should be retained in the North Central, according to the formula adopted during the 2021 convention. It also called for fresh state and zonal congresses in the Ekiti, Ebonyi, and South East geopolitical zones.

“We, the Eminent Leaders and Concerned Stakeholders of the PDP, having met to review the state of our great party and assessed the critical issues leading to the forthcoming National Convention, do hereby express our collective commitment to the principles of equity, justice, inclusivity, and the rule of law – values upon which the PDP was founded and upon which its survival depends,” Ortom stated.