Edo PDP Crisis Deepens as Wike-Backed Faction Elects Parallel Executive

Parallel Leadership Emerges in Edo PDP

The internal crisis within the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Edo State, Nigeria, deepened significantly on Sunday, October 5, 2025, as a faction loyal to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, elected a parallel state executive committee. The new executive, operating under the banner of the Legacy Group, was sworn in during a 2025 State Congress held in Benin City, the Edo State capital.

Nosa Ogieva emerged as the new state chairman, alongside 13 other executive members. Reports indicate that 11 of these positions were filled unopposed, while Tony Aziegbemi, Henry Tenebe, and Victor Enoghama reportedly contested for the offices of State Chairman, Secretary, and Deputy Chairman, respectively, within this congress. The congress saw the participation of 576 delegates drawn from the 192 wards across the state.

In his acceptance speech, Ogieva pledged to 'rebuild and reposition the PDP in Edo,' stating that his team would prioritize unity and electoral strength. He remarked, 'Our emergence marks a new chapter in Edo PDP. We will not betray this party nor take it for granted. We are here to reposition and rebrand the PDP so it can begin to win elections again.'

Roots of the Deepening Crisis

The leader of the Legacy Group and former PDP National Vice Chairman (South-South), Chief Dan Orbih, attributed the party's prolonged crisis to former Governor Godwin Obaseki. Orbih accused Obaseki of 'destroying' the party's unity and 'sowing deep-rooted seeds of discord' upon his defection to the PDP in 2020. He lamented that the party had been united 'until Obaseki joined our party,' and that 'he came in and destroyed everything that was good in the PDP.'

This parallel election follows another congress held just a week prior, on September 27, 2025, by a rival faction loyal to former Governor Obaseki, which had re-elected Tony Aziegbemi as its chairman. Orbih criticized the party's poor performance in recent by-elections, linking it to Obaseki's leadership, and dismissed the rival faction as 'undertakers praying for the PDP to collapse so they can join the African Democratic Congress (ADC).'

Implications for Edo PDP

The emergence of two parallel executive committees underscores the deep-seated divisions within the Edo State PDP. This fragmentation raises significant questions about the party's ability to present a united front and effectively contest future elections in the state. The ongoing power struggle, characterized by accusations and counter-accusations between prominent figures, reflects a broader leadership crisis within the party at both state and national levels.

Observers suggest that the unresolved internal disputes could further weaken the PDP's standing in Edo State, potentially impacting its electoral viability. The call for unity by the newly elected chairman, Nosa Ogieva, highlights the challenge ahead for any faction seeking to consolidate power and restore the party's influence.