PDP Crisis Deepens as Party Suspends Wike-Aligned Chairman

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has suspended Peter Tongshep, a factional chairman in Plateau State aligned with Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister, Nyesom Wike, further intensifying the party’s internal leadership crisis.

Tongshep, who was elected last Tuesday alongside 38 other executives during a parallel congress, had previously served as PDP chairman in Mikang Local Government Area and as the party’s Southern Zone Vice Chairman. His emergence was backed by prominent Wike loyalists, including Damishi Sango, Musa I. Azi, as well as Board of Trustees members Timothy Golu and Johnbul Shekarau.

The Plateau State chapter of the PDP announced Tongshep’s one-month suspension on Thursday, citing alleged anti-party activities and violations of the party’s constitution.

In a statement issued by the State Publicity Secretary, Choji Felix Dalyop, the party said the suspension was approved by the State Working Committee under Section 57(1) of the PDP Constitution (2017 as amended).

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According to the statement, Tongshep’s actions contravened Sections 58(1)(i) and (j), which deal with misconduct and actions capable of bringing the party into disrepute.

“During the suspension period, Tongshep is barred from functioning in his role as Southern Zone Vice Chairman of the PDP in Plateau State,” the statement noted.

The PDP further disclosed that the case has been referred to its Disciplinary Committee in Jos for investigation and recommendations, in line with Section 57(3) of the constitution.

The suspension comes days after a controversial parallel congress produced a rival leadership structure in the state, a move defended by Damishi Sango, who argued that it was necessary to safeguard the party’s survival in Plateau.

However, the mainstream PDP leadership in the state, headed by Raymond Dabo, has rejected the faction, insisting it remains the only legitimate structure recognised by the party.

The PDP crisis in Plateau State reflects broader divisions within the opposition party, particularly between factions loyal to Wike and other national leaders, raising concerns about unity ahead of future elections.

The party reiterated its commitment to discipline, internal democracy, and rule of law, warning members against participating in unauthorised structures or activities that could undermine its stability.

PDP Crisis Deepens as Party Suspends Wike-Aligned Chairman

Atiku Has Less Than 1% of Tinubu’s War Chest — Dele Momodu

A chieftain of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Dele Momodu, has said former Vice President Atiku Abubakar does not possess the financial strength required to compete effectively with Bola Ahmed Tinubu in the 2027 presidential election. Momodu, publisher of Ovation International magazine and a former presidential aspirant, made the remarks during a guest appearance on Politics Today, a political programme on Channels Television, where he discussed Nigeria’s political climate ahead of the next general election.

During the interview, Momodu warned that Nigeria risks drifting toward a one-party state, comparing the current political atmosphere to the era of former military ruler Sani Abacha. According to him, the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) currently enjoys overwhelming political and financial advantages, which could make it difficult for opposition figures to mount a strong challenge. “I will describe this moment as being worse than that of the Abacha government. Many people are worried that we now have virtually a one-party state,” Momodu said. He further argued that President Tinubu commands enormous financial and political resources that potential challengers may struggle to match. “Atiku does not have one per cent of Tinubu’s war chest. No, he doesn’t have it. You can imagine how much Tinubu can generate from Lagos State alone, not to talk of the nation. And when you have an absolute ruler, everything is available to him,” he added.

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Despite his comments on the financial gap between the two camps, Momodu insisted that his support for Atiku remains genuine and rooted in his belief in strong opposition politics in Nigeria. He dismissed speculation that he might betray the former vice president or secretly align with the ruling party, saying he had never attended any covert meeting without Atiku’s knowledge. “It’s easier for me to move to Tinubu than to move to Atiku. I’m one million times closer to Tinubu than to Atiku. In fact, people were telling Atiku that Dele is Tinubu’s spy till today. Don’t trust him,” Momodu said. “But there is nothing to spy on. I have not attended any secret private meeting without Atiku. If I’m with Atiku, that should show you that we are people who have a genuine interest in the country.”

Momodu also rejected claims that opposition figures are afraid of President Tinubu, arguing instead that the administration may be worried about public dissatisfaction over economic hardship. “You asked who is afraid of Tinubu. I would like to answer that question. It is Tinubu who is afraid of Nigerians. That is why they are cooking all kinds of cocktails, which you call strategy,” he said. He criticised the government’s handling of economic challenges, claiming many Nigerians are facing severe hardship while the administration appears disconnected from the realities on the ground. “Nigerians are suffering. I think the Tinubu government is living on another planet. They are not being realistic and have their own delusion of grandeur,” he added.

Momodu’s comments come as political discussions intensify ahead of the 2027 presidential election, with opposition parties exploring alliances and strategies that could challenge the dominance of the APC. In the 2023 presidential election, Tinubu defeated Atiku of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and Peter Obi of the Labour Party, in a tightly contested race that reshaped Nigeria’s political landscape. Political analysts say the debate over funding, coalition-building, and candidate selection is likely to intensify in the coming years as opposition figures attempt to consolidate support across Nigeria’s diverse political and regional blocs.

Atiku Has Less Than 1% of Tinubu’s War Chest — Dele Momodu

Peter Obi a Political Liability in the North, Says Reno Omokri

Former presidential aide Reno Omokri has described former Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi as a political liability, warning that selecting him as a running mate could weaken the political prospects of former Vice President Atiku Abubakar in the 2027 presidential election.

Omokri, who served as a media aide to former President Goodluck Jonathan and is Nigeria’s ambassador-designate to Mexico, made the remarks in a post on X (formerly Twitter) while reacting to comments by media entrepreneur Dele Momodu about possible opposition alliances ahead of the next general election.

In his post, Omokri warned that a potential Atiku–Obi ticket could alienate voters in northern Nigeria, including in Atiku’s home state of Adamawa, due to what he described as lingering political and religious sensitivities in the region.

“With all due respect, if Waziri Atiku Abubakar makes the mistake of running with Peter Obi in 2027, he may lose even Adamawa because of the political liability that Peter Obi has become in the North,” Omokri wrote.

He added that although he holds Atiku in high regard, the suggestion that an Atiku–Obi ticket could defeat President Bola Tinubu misunderstands the political realities of northern Nigeria, where religion, identity, and past events often influence electoral decisions.

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According to Omokri, some voters in Adamawa State still harbour resentment over Obi’s reaction to the 2021 killing of Ahmed Gulak, a former presidential aide who was shot dead by gunmen in Owerri, Imo State.

Gulak, a politician from Adamawa, was attacked while travelling to the airport during a visit to the state. The incident sparked national outrage and intensified security concerns in the South-East.

Omokri also referenced the 2022 killing of Harira Jubril and her children in Anambra State, arguing that Obi’s reaction to the incident contributed to negative perceptions among some northern communities.

He claimed that the murder, which authorities linked to criminal elements suspected to have connections with the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and its armed wing, the Eastern Security Network (ESN), heightened tensions and influenced political sentiment in the North.

“Now add that to the repeat of the same behavior after the murder of Harira and her underage children by suspected IPOB/ESN elements in Peter Obi’s home state and his refusal to condemn the incident, and anybody tying themselves to Peter Obi is playing with fire,” Omokri wrote.

He further argued that symbolic political gestures such as visits to mosques or community donations would not necessarily erase past grievances among some northern voters.

“Nigeria, as one of the most multicultural, multireligious, multiethnic and multiracial countries on Earth, needs leaders who are sensitive to these differences,” he added.

The comments come amid growing discussions among opposition figures about possible alliances ahead of the 2027 presidential election, following the 2023 poll won by Bola Ahmed Tinubu of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

Political observers say the debate reflects the ongoing realignment within Nigeria’s opposition bloc as parties and political actors consider coalition strategies that could challenge the ruling party in the next electoral cycle.

Supporters of Peter Obi, however, have repeatedly dismissed such criticisms, pointing to the “Obidient movement”, which mobilised millions of young voters and helped the Labour Party achieve significant electoral gains in the 2023 general election.

Analysts note that any potential opposition alliance ahead of 2027 would likely require complex negotiations across regional, religious and political lines in Nigeria’s highly diverse political landscape.

Peter Obi a Political Liability in the North, Says Reno Omokri