The supremacy battle between the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, and Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, for the control of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) structure has reached a definitive climax, following a decisive administrative action by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). In a fresh update to its official portal, the electoral umpire effectively dismantled the structure of the Makinde-backed faction by delisting its prominent allies from the National Working Committee (NWC) roster and replacing them with key loyalists from the Wike camp. The casualties of this high-stakes political maneuvering are Ahmed Yayari and Daniel Woyengikuro—both key figures in the Kabiru Turaki-led faction fiercely backed by Governor Makinde. Until the recent portal synchronization, the duo held onto the positions of National Treasurer and National Financial Secretary, respectively. However, the new INEC database shows that both men have been completely displaced. Taking their places are Prince Diran Odeyemi, who has now been recognized as the authentic National Treasurer, and Eyim Donatus Henry, who takes over the reigns as the National Financial Secretary. Insiders reveal that the displacement of Makinde’s allies is the culmination of legal and administrative pressures tracing back to the PDP national convention held at the Velodrome of the Moshood Abiola National Stadium in Abuja. At that convention, Odeyemi and Donatus emerged through a consensus arrangement orchestrated by the Wike camp, alongside 19 other national officers. While the Makinde-backed group had continuously challenged the legitimacy of that convention, the latest update on the INEC portal indicates that the commission has thrown its weight behind the Wike-led offensive. Prior to this update, the INEC portal reflected a chaotic, mixed list featuring figures from both factions—a situation that Governor Makinde’s camp had capitalized on to maintain its relevance at the national secretariat. By sanitizing the portal, INEC has removed all institutional ambiguity. With Diran Odeyemi and Eyim Donatus now firmly entrenched in the financial heart of the NWC, alongside key figures like National Chairman Abdulrahman Mohammed and National Secretary Samuel Anyanwu, the Wike faction has successfully choked off the Makinde camp’s influence at the national level. Political observers note that this development marks a devastating blow to Governor Makinde’s aspirations of steering the main opposition party’s national direction, as Wike’s tactical deployment of administrative and legal levers has once again secured him absolute custody of the PDP structure. Post navigation PDP National Secretariat under spotlight as Electoral Appeals Committee meets over primary election disputes Nomination Fee Fraud: PDP Disowns Unauthorized Accounts, Probes Internal Saboteurs
