Nigeria's Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), a political force that once dominated the country's political landscape, is now facing an existential crisis that could lead to its extinction following the upcoming January elections. Internal power struggles, factionalism, and a commitment to regional power rotation have fueled disillusionment among party members.
The party has seen a significant exodus of prominent figures, including former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar, who left last year. The ongoing crisis has been exacerbated by a debilitating leadership tussle that has paralyzed the PDP's operations.
A major turning point occurred in November 2025 when a faction, believed by observers to represent the majority of the party's members, held a national convention in Ibadan, Oyo state. This gathering proceeded despite court orders attempting to halt it. During this convention, Nyesom Wike, a key PDP figure now serving in President Bola Tinubu's All Progressives Congress (APC)-led government, was expelled.
Wike, a co-founder of the PDP, leads a rival faction, creating a political standoff that has rendered the party largely ineffective. His actions, including allegedly aiding the APC in winning Rivers state during the last presidential election, have led to accusations of betrayal.
Legally, the faction led by Wike is recognized as the legitimate PDP. This distinction has allowed his group to submit its slate of presidential and parliamentary candidates to the electoral commission, effectively leaving the opposing faction without representation on the ballot. This situation places the PDP at risk of significant electoral losses, potentially leading to its downfall after the January elections.