• S’East lawmakers threaten to boycott PDP convention over zoning
• Fresh crisis looms as N’West rejects Turaki’s endorsement as consensus chairman
• SDP faction expels ex-presidential candidate Adebayo, others
• Opposition parties urge INEC to probe Anambra govt over pre-election spending
• HEDA wants new INEC boss to restore integrity, public trust in electoral process
Nigeria’s opposition parties are again mired in self-inflicted turmoil, with the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) fuming over zoning and endorsement, and the Social Democratic Party (SDP) tearing itself apart through expulsions.
Amid the unfolding tension, the dramas lay bare how fragile structures and unchecked egos keep derailing the quest for credible political alternatives.
PDP federal lawmakers from the South-East have threatened to boycott the party’s forthcoming national convention in Ibadan over alleged plans to rezone the position of National Woman Leader from the South-East to the South-South.
Led by the member representing Ideato North/South Federal Constituency of Imo State, Ikenga Imo Ugochinyere, the lawmakers accused Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, of masterminding the move to alter the existing zoning arrangement. They described it as an attempt to humiliate and alienate the South-East within the party.
They warned that the PDP risked further internal disunity and mass defections if the purported plan was not reversed before the screening exercise scheduled for next week.
Ugochinyere, speaking on behalf of the group in Abuja, said the position was originally zoned to the South-East, with Imo State expected to produce the next National Woman Leader.
He explained that the current South-East Zonal Woman Leader, Ifeyinwa Arodiogbu, had been unanimously endorsed by PDP stakeholders in the region before Governor Peter Mbah of Enugu State, now a member of the All Progressives Congress (APC), allegedly influenced a change in favour of his state.
According to Ugochinyere, Mbah’s defection to the ruling APC rendered the previous arrangement invalid, giving Imo State a legitimate claim to the position.
He disclosed that the lawmakers would issue a disclaimer against the convention within two weeks and would not participate if the South-East, particularly Imo State, was sidelined.
“There is still time to remedy the situation before the screening,” he said. “No elected lawmaker from the region will remain in PDP if the impending insult is allowed to happen.”
Ugochinyere added: “We don’t want to see PDP suffer more setbacks, but we will stick to our position on the Ibadan convention if, in the next few weeks, the position of National Woman Leader is not ceded expressly to Imo State and an Imo person is allowed to emerge.
“Now that Governor Mbah has left for APC, that earlier arrangement of producing a woman leader is not going to stand because his nominee is also in APC with him. This brings back a chance for the injustice to be addressed and for Imo State to produce the National Woman Leader.”
He accused those behind the alleged rezoning of trying to “provoke the entire South-East and alienate them,” stressing that stakeholders from the region, led by federal lawmakers, would boycott the convention if their demand was ignored.
“This will compound the ongoing confusion in the PDP,” he warned. “If the remaining stakeholders from the South-East boycott the convention, it will deepen the party’s crisis.”
Ugochinyere further cautioned that any attempt to tamper with the agreed zoning formula could worsen the PDP’s already fragile internal cohesion. “If this injustice is allowed to stand, no elected lawmaker from the South-East will remain in the PDP. We will also issue a disclaimer against the convention,” he said.
The lawmakers appealed to Governors Seyi Makinde and Ademola Adeleke of Oyo and Osun States, respectively, to intervene and ensure that the South-East retains the position of National Woman Leader.
Fresh crisis looms as N’West rejects Turaki’s endorsement as consensus chairman
THE Peoples Democratic Party is also facing fresh internal dissent following the endorsement of former Minister of Special Duties, Kabiru Tanimu Turaki, as “consensus candidate” for national chairman, a move that has reopened old wounds over North-South power balance within the party.
At the centre of the dispute is the North-West zone, historically the PDP’s largest voting bloc, which has denounced what it describes as “procedural injustice” and “political imposition” from within the northern caucus.
Senator Mustafa Habib, representing Jigawa North-West, told The Guardian that the so-called revolt was simply “a demand for due process.”
“The North-West was to meet and microzone positions allocated to us. But before our meeting was held, the governors and some leaders went ahead to announce Turaki as consensus chairman. We were not consulted. Even the Zamfara governor, who spoke on our behalf, was never mandated to do so,” Habib said.
The senator described the endorsement as a “breach of internal democracy,” adding that the North-West stakeholders were not opposed to the idea of consensus but “to the process that excluded us.”
For many in the North-West, the controversy over Turaki’s emergence is less about zoning and more about relevance and trust in the PDP’s post-Atiku era. The North, once united behind Atiku Abubakar’s presidential ambition, now appears divided along regional and generational lines.
Party insiders said the hasty endorsement of Turaki, who hails from Kebbi State, was part of a wider effort by some Northern elites to retain control of the party’s structure ahead of 2027, when the zoning of the national chairmanship will significantly influence where the presidential ticket goes.
If the chairmanship remains in the North, the argument goes, it may strengthen calls for the presidential ticket to return to the South, potentially favouring southern aspirants such as Governors Umo Eno, Bala Mohammed, or even Nyesom Wike, if he reconciles with the party. Conversely, if the chairmanship shifts to the South, it could pave the way for another Northern bid.
The unfolding crisis also highlights the growing power struggle between incumbent governors and older party stalwarts such as former Jigawa Governor Sule Lamido. Habib disclosed that Lamido, regarded as one of the PDP’s founding elders, was sidelined from the northern caucus meeting where crucial decisions were made.
“Our leader, Sule Lamido, wasn’t notified until an hour before the meeting. How can that be fair?” Habib asked.
Analysts say the sidelining of Lamido underscores a deeper transition within the PDP, as influence steadily shifts from its founding generation to the governors who now control much of the party machinery. The result is a widening gulf between the “old guard” and the “new establishment.”
SDP faction expels ex-presidential candidate Adewale Adebayo, others over alleged anti-party activities
ALSO, the lingering crisis within the Social Democratic Party deepened at the weekend as a faction led by the National Chairman, Shehu Musa Gabam, announced the expulsion of the party’s former presidential candidate, Prince Adewale Adebayo, and several others for alleged anti-party activities.
The faction also accused the party’s National Secretary, Olu Agunloye, of gross misconduct, contempt of court, and attempts to destabilise the party through misinformation and abuse of public institutions.
Addressing journalists in Abuja, the National Publicity Secretary, Judith Shua’ibu, said the decision followed extensive deliberations during an emergency meeting of the National Working Committee (NWC) held on October 24, 2025.
According to her, the meeting was convened to address “pressing issues affecting the peace, progress, and institutional integrity of the party,” and to reaffirm the SDP’s commitment to transparency, unity, and internal democracy.
She accused Agunloye of operating “far outside the bounds of law, fairness, and party discipline,” alleging that rather than engage constructively, he had filed petitions to the Nigeria Police Force and made false claims against national officers.
Shua’ibu said Agunloye had even accused party leaders of theft and burglary at the SDP national secretariat, allegations she described as spurious, while allegedly using police personnel to block access to the secretariat.
“These actions constitute an abuse of privilege and a direct assault on both the party’s integrity and the credibility of state institutions,” she said.
The spokesperson further alleged that Agunloye had disregarded judicial processes by taking unilateral actions while cases involving him were still before competent courts.
“Is Agunloye afraid of the outcomes of the very cases he initiated, or is he attempting to impose his personal dictates on our party through external manipulation?” she asked.
The faction also expressed concern over what it described as “reckless and dangerous ethnic narratives” being promoted by some disgruntled elements within the party. Shua’ibu said such individuals were exploiting ethnic sentiments and spreading misinformation about the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to delegitimise national institutions.
She added that some of these actors had made veiled references to a possible replacement of the INEC Chairman to advance personal or ethnic agendas — a move the party described as “mischievous and harmful to Nigeria’s democracy.”
Citing Article 19.3 (vi)(e) of the SDP Constitution, the NWC resolved to expel with immediate effect Aderemi Abimbola, Joseph Achile Abu, Sa’adatu Abdullahi, Aiyenigba Rufus, and Maggie Mariam Batubo.
Shua’ibu also clarified the status of certain individuals parading themselves as SDP officials, naming Rosemary A. Effiong, Sadiq Abubakar, Ugochukwu Uba, and Ado Hussieni as impostors.
She noted that Hussieni had long been expelled and therefore lacked the authority to represent the party in any capacity.
“The public is hereby advised to disregard the activities of these impostors whose actions are mischievous, baseless, and intended to mislead,” she stated.
Reiterating the party’s position, Shua’ibu said the SDP remained a disciplined and law-abiding political institution committed to transparency and accountability.
“The SDP is not at war with itself, but it will not condone lawlessness, intimidation, or impunity under any guise,” she stressed.
She urged party members nationwide to remain steadfast and not be swayed by the antics of a few individuals pursuing personal gain at the expense of collective progress.
“The Social Democratic Party remains united, strong, and focused on providing Nigerians with a credible, people-centred alternative. We stand firm in our commitment to justice, fairness, and accountable leadership,” she declared.
Opposition parties urge INEC to probe Anambra govt over pre-election spending
IN a related development, opposition political parties participating in the November 8 governorship election in Anambra State have called on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to investigate the financial activities of the state government ahead of the poll, following Governor Charles Soludo’s pledge to reward wards won by his party, the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA).
Soludo, who is also the APGA candidate, made the promise during a campaign rally in Umunze, Orumba South Local Council, on Saturday. He recalled a similar financial pledge made during the South Senatorial Zone election, announcing that each ward that delivers victory for APGA in the governorship poll would receive monetary rewards.
“We promised each of these wards N1 million and next week, we will redeem it. The ward that comes first will get N5 million, the second N3 million and the third N2 million. That was the deal. For November 8, any ward that wins again will receive N1 million, while the first three performing wards will get N5 million, N2 million and N1 million respectively,” Soludo stated.
The remarks sparked outrage among opposition parties, who accused the governor of vote-buying and called on INEC to take immediate action.
The governorship candidate of the Young Progressives Party (YPP), Paul Chukwuma, said the statement amounted to “institutionalised vote buying”, urging INEC to act decisively.
He said: “INEC must be clear and definite on vote buying, which the state government has taken to a new level. The Commission must also ensure that government-sponsored armed militias parading prohibited firearms are not allowed to interfere in the election. We are fully mobilised for a peaceful, free and fair election.”
Similarly, the candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), John Nwosu, through his Chief of Staff, Ben Chuks Nwosu, said INEC must conduct a credible election free from vote buying and violence.
“Vote buying must be dealt with decisively if we are to achieve a credible election. INEC has an opportunity to make a name for itself and set a standard for free and fair elections in Nigeria,” he said.
Also speaking, the Director General of the George Muoghalu Campaign Organisation, Okey Chukwuogo, said the party had taken its campaigns to various communities and expressed confidence in INEC’s ability to conduct a peaceful poll.
“What we are worried about is the willingness. The incumbent government has enormous resources at its disposal, and we cannot be sure how they plan to deploy them. The Labour Party is committed to a peaceful election and intends to resist vote buying,” he said.
However, the Anambra State government dismissed the allegations as baseless, describing Soludo’s remarks as a “motivational gesture” aimed at energising party supporters.
Commissioner for Information, Law Mefor, said the opposition was engaging in “deliberate mischief”, insisting that the governor’s comments had been taken out of context.
HEDA wants new INEC chairman to restore integrity, public trust in electoral process
MEANWHILE, ahead of the Anambra governorship election, the Human and Environmental Development Agenda (HEDA Resource Centre) has urged the newly sworn-in Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission, Joash Amupitan, to prioritise integrity, transparency, and fairness in managing Nigeria’s electoral process.
In a statement signed by its Chairman, Olanrewaju Suraju, the civil society organisation said Amupitan’s appointment comes at a critical time when Nigerians are yearning for genuine electoral reforms and justice in the nation’s democracy.
HEDA noted that the new INEC boss faces a task that extends beyond routine electoral management, emp
hasising the need to rebuild public trust, strengthen institutional independence, and ensure that “every ballot truly counts.”
According to the group, the administration of former INEC Chairman, Mahmood Yakubu, recorded notable achievements but also faced shortcomings that eroded confidence in the system. It called on Amupitan to learn from those lapses and ensure that future elections meet both local and international standards of credibility.
“The expectations of Nigerians are very high. The new INEC Chairman must move swiftly to address the weaknesses observed in past elections, particularly issues around result transmission, logistics, and voter suppression,” Suraju said.
He added that INEC’s mandate remains clear: to conduct free, fair, and credible elections that reflect the will of the people. “Anything short of that will deepen the trust deficit in our democratic institutions,” he warned.
