Prof. Udenta O. Udenta, a prominent Nigerian political scholar, public intellectual, and founding National Secretary of the defunct Alliance for Democracy (AD), has leveled serious allegations against Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister Nyesom Wike, claiming that Wike's recent actions within the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) are being carried out under direct instructions from President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to systematically weaken the opposition ahead of future elections.
Speaking during a television interview on Arise News on November 20, 2025, Udenta described Wike as a "dependent political force" rather than an independent actor, asserting that the minister's involvement in the PDP's escalating leadership crisis represents a "deliberate institutional choice" by the Presidency to interfere in the internal affairs of the country's primary opposition party.
Udenta further implicated state institutions, including the Nigeria Police Force and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), in facilitating what he termed an "externally engineered" destabilization campaign orchestrated by the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
The accusations come amid heightened tensions within the PDP, which has been plagued by factionalism for months. A key flashpoint occurred earlier in the week when a Wike-aligned faction, reportedly backed by heavy police presence, forcefully accessed the party's national secretariat in Abuja's Wadata Plaza.
This group, led by figures loyal to former PDP National Secretary Samuel Anyanwu, convened parallel meetings of the National Executive Committee (NEC) and Board of Trustees (BoT), ratifying expulsions of several prominent members opposed to Wike's influence, including governors from Oyo, Bauchi, and Zamfara states, as well as veteran party elders like Chief Bode George.
Udenta criticized the police for granting access to the secretariat despite prior notifications from the rival faction, led by acting National Chairman Kabiru Tanimu Turaki, warning of potential disruptions. "The crisis in the PDP has transcended ordinary internal disagreements," Udenta stated. "It is now clear that external forces, particularly from the APC-led federal government, are actively working to cripple the opposition and consolidate one-party dominance."
Background to the PDP Crisis
The PDP's troubles trace back to the 2023 general elections, when internal rifts—exacerbated by the fallout from the party's presidential primary—saw Wike and a group of five governors (known as the G5) withhold support from candidate Atiku Abubakar. Wike, then Governor of Rivers State, openly backed President Tinubu, a move that contributed to his appointment as FCT Minister despite remaining a PDP member. Critics argue this created a conflict of interest, allowing Wike to leverage federal resources while maintaining influence over PDP structures, particularly in his home state of Rivers.
In Rivers State, the feud between Wike and his successor, Governor Siminalayi Fubara, has been particularly acrimonious. Earlier in 2025, President Tinubu intervened in the state-level impasse, leading to a controversial six-month suspension of Fubara, the deputy governor, and the entire state assembly—a decision that drew accusations of executive overreach. Fubara has since distanced himself from national PDP activities, boycotting a recent party convention and declaring that political loyalties in Rivers now revolve around a "movement" rather than traditional party lines.
Nationally, the PDP has splintered into warring camps:
- One faction, aligned with Wike, has expelled anti-Wike figures and convened unsanctioned meetings.
- The opposing group, supported by former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and northern elders, has countered with its own expulsions, including Wike himself, citing anti-party activities.
Analysts note that these divisions have left the PDP severely weakened, raising concerns about the health of Nigeria's multi-party democracy as the 2027 elections approach. Opposition voices, including civil society groups and parties like the African Democratic Congress (ADC), have called for independent probes into alleged misuse of security agencies and public resources to fuel the crisis.
Broader Implications for Nigerian Democracy
Udenta's claims echo a growing chorus of criticism from opposition figures who argue that the Tinubu administration is employing subtle tactics—such as selective judicial interventions and security deployments—to neutralize rivals. While Wike has repeatedly denied being an APC agent and insists he remains a PDP member committed to President Tinubu's re-election, his actions have fueled perceptions of a coordinated effort to render the opposition ineffective.
As Nigeria grapples with economic challenges, security issues, and regional tensions, a fragmented PDP could tilt the political landscape further toward the ruling APC. Political observers warn that unchecked interference in opposition parties risks eroding democratic competition and fostering authoritarian tendencies.
The PDP has yet to issue an official response to Udenta's latest remarks, but party stakeholders continue to appeal for unity. Meanwhile, calls mount for President Tinubu to publicly clarify his administration's stance on the crisis and rein in ministers perceived as exacerbating divisions.
This developing story highlights the fragile state of opposition politics in Nigeria, with potential long-term consequences for electoral fairness and governance accountability.