The struggle for dominance within the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) between the supporters of Atiku Abubakar and Nyesom Wike appears to be escalating, despite recent developments.
The recent decision by the party’s National Executive Committee (NWC) to retain Ambassador Umar Ilya Damagum as Acting National Chairman until August or September, reportedly backed by Wike’s faction, was perceived by many as an initial triumph for Wike’s camp.
However, the focus of both the Atiku and Wike factions is now on determining who will oversee the party’s national convention leading up to the 2027 elections.
According to The Nation report, the battleground for control of the party will primarily be in 18 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) during the congresses.
The outcome of these state congresses will be pivotal in determining the eventual National Chairman of the PDP at the national convention.
Below are the battleground states:
1. Abia
2. Akwa Ibom
3. Bayelsa
4. Benue
5. Bauchi
6. Cross River
7. Ekiti
8. Gombe
9. Enugu
10. Delta
11. Jigawa
12. Niger
13. Imo
14. Ondo
15. Taraba
16. Plateau
17. Rivers
18. Sokoto
19. FCT (Abuja)