The crisis within the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) intensified Sunday night as allies of Federal Capital Territory Minister Nyesom Wike inaugurated a 13-member caretaker committee, just two days before the tenure of the National Working Committee (NWC) expires.

The inauguration, held at Wike’s Abuja residence and endorsed by a factional National Executive Committee (NEC), was framed as a move to prevent a leadership vacuum. However, it immediately triggered sharp pushback from rival camps aligned with former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, who branded the development “unconstitutional” and vowed to resist through police petitions and legal challenges.

The caretaker committee, chaired by Hon. Abdulrahman Mohammed with Senator Samuel Anyanwu as secretary, includes prominent figures such as Kamaldeen Ajibade (SAN), former Ekiti deputy governor Kolade Alabi, Senators Nwogu Olaka and Sandy Onor, Prof. Adenike Ogunse, and Dr. Ibrahim Bala Aboki. Their 60-day mandate covers concluding state congresses, organizing a national convention, and stabilizing operations in “affected states and the South East zone,” according to factional Board of Trustees (BoT) Chairman Senator Mao Ohuabunwa.

Ohuabunwa defended the move, warning that “nature abhors a vacuum” and stressing the need to rebuild trust through transparent congresses. State chairmen, represented by Imo’s Augustine Nwachukwu, praised the outgoing NWC for groundwork laid, while House Minority Leader Kingsley Chinda pledged loyalty to the caretaker team, citing adherence to party law. Heavyweights including former governors Okezie Ikpeazu, Ayo Fayose, Samuel Ortom, and ex-Kogi deputy Philip Salawu attended, signaling significant factional support.

Wike seized the moment to attack his rivals, accusing them of defying two Federal High Court rulings by holding an “illegal convention” and then seeking ex parte relief from a State High Court. He contrasted his long PDP history with newer entrants like Makinde and Mohammed, declaring: “We won’t let those we accepted into the PDP kill the party… They are on their way out.” He also criticized Mohammed’s tenure at the PDP Governors’ Forum, alleging it oversaw defections to the APC, unlike his own era which attracted governors.

The Atiku-aligned faction responded by filing petitions with police and security agencies over what they described as a “botched” NEC meeting orchestrated by Wike’s group. They insist their convention, despite court injunctions, remains valid under party statutes. Party insiders warn the split could trigger recognition battles with INEC and even fresh defections.

The confrontation reflects deeper wounds from the PDP’s 2023 presidential defeat, when Wike’s opposition to Atiku fractured loyalties. Analysts highlight regional fault lines—South-South versus Southwest and Northeast—as fueling the crisis. With Tuesday’s deadline looming, the party faces potential paralysis: parallel structures, legal uncertainty, and looming sanctions.

Elders have urged reconciliation, but Wike’s combative rhetoric suggests entrenchment. For Nigeria’s main opposition, the question is whether the caretaker committee will stabilize the PDP—or entrench divisions ahead of the 2027 elections.