Wike and Atiku’s Inner and Internal Divide is the Reality of Your Problem. To Heal, Sack Both of Them and Become the Real Oppositional Party Nigeria Needs
The recent wave of defections from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC) has once again sparked outrage within the PDP’s leadership. Cries of betrayal, allegations of political trading, and threats of legal action dominate the headlines, but behind this public outcry lies a harsh truth that the party refuses to confront. The defections are not simply a matter of opportunism or political maneuvering by the APC; they are symptomatic of a deeper rot within the PDP—a rot that festers from the unresolved and increasingly bitter divide between two of its most influential figures: NyesomWike and Atiku Abubakar.
For years, the PDP has served as Nigeria’s primary opposition party, the supposed guardian of democracy against the ruling APC. But how can the PDP call itself a credible opposition when it is fractured from within? How can it claim to challenge the ruling party when it cannot even unite its own leadership? It is time for PDP leaders to stop deceiving themselves and stop blaming the APC for its failures. The truth is glaring: Wike and Atiku’s endless rivalry is tearing the party apart from the inside. Their constant power struggles, mistrust, and open defiance have created a leadership vacuum that APC is only too eager to exploit.
The Wike-Atiku Power Struggle: A House Divided
Nigerians are not blind to the glaring conflicts between Wike and Atiku. It is a well-known fact that Wike felt betrayed by Atiku during the last presidential primaries—a betrayal that has since festered into a full-blown political war. Wike, the relentless power player in the South, has never hidden his disdain for Atiku’s leadership style, viewing him as disconnected from the grassroots realities that drive PDP’s support base. Atiku, on the other hand, has seen Wike’s influence as a threat to his long-standing political dominance, resulting in public spats and backroom sabotage that have only deepened the party’s woes.
The consequences of this rivalry are evident. PDP senators and governors have lost faith in a divided house and are seeking greener pastures with the APC, which, despite its own internal issues, projects a stronger sense of unity and direction. While PDP leadership continues to rail against defectors, the truth is that many of them are fleeing a house that is already burning from within. They are not just running towards APC; they are running away from the chaos that Wike and Atiku have refused to address.
The Futility of Legal Battles: Courts Can’t Heal Political Rot
But let us ask the big question: why run to the courts when the PDP and other political parties have, over and over again, demanded that the judiciary stays away from internal party matters? Have we forgotten that the courts themselves, including the Supreme Court, have repeatedly ruled that the judiciary should not interfere in the internal disputes of political parties? So, what is the essence of rushing to the courts now? Is this not just another cycle of political hypocrisy where the judiciary is only good when it serves one’s interests?
The Judiciary’s Inconsistency: When Convenience Overrides Precedent
The Nigerian judiciary has repeatedly declared that political parties are self-regulating entities. In landmark rulings, the Supreme Court has explicitly stated that courts should refrain from meddling in matters that are purely internal to political parties. Some of the most significant cases include:
Agbakoba vs INEC (2008): The Supreme Court ruled that issues of party leadership and candidate selection are internal matters for political parties and are not justiciable. The Court emphasized that the judiciary should not interfere in party disputes unless fundamental rights are infringed.
Ladoja vs Ajimobi (2016): This case further solidified the principle of non-interference, with the Supreme Court affirming that disputes within party leadership structures should be resolved internally, without court involvement.
Sheriff vs Makarfi (2017): In this landmark case, the Supreme Court ruled on the leadership tussle within the PDP, underscoring the judiciary’s limited role in determining internal party disputes. The judgment reinforced the doctrine that political parties must settle their leadership disputes through internal mechanisms.
When the Judiciary Fails Its Own StandardsIn any sensible and law-abiding judicial system, the Chief Judge and attending judges would outrightly refuse to entertain cases that involve purely internal party conflicts. Why? Because the Supreme Court itself has laid the law bare—internal party issues are not matters for the courts. Yet in Nigeria, the contradiction is glaring. The same judiciary that claims political parties should handle their problems somehow still opens its doors to settle disputes that are supposed to be resolved at party secretariats—not courtrooms.
This is part of the hypocrisy that fuels Nigeria’s broken political process. When it is convenient, party leaders shout that the courts should not interfere. But when there is political gain, they rush to file lawsuits, dragging the judiciary into what is essentially political housekeeping. It begs the question: are these judges simply ignoring the law, or is the political influence so strong that even established precedents are dismissed for convenience?
If the judiciary truly respected its own rulings, it would refuse to be a playground for political parties’ internal chaos. A Chief Judge with integrity would simply say: “Go and solve your house issues outside of my court!” But in Nigeria, it seems the doors remain wide open, and the cycle of judicial hypocrisy continues.
Convenience Over Principle
Despite these clear precedents, political parties—including the PDP—continue to run to the courts at every sign of internal conflict, contradicting their own stance that the judiciary should stay out of party affairs. This inconsistency exposes a deeper political hypocrisy where judicial intervention is only welcomed when it favors a faction’s ambitions.
PDP’s reliance on legal threats is not just desperation; it is a complete denial of the truth that its wounds are self-inflicted and require internal cleansing, not courtroom drama. Why should a divided house seek judgment from the courts when the answer is in its own hands? PDP must first heal itself before it can claim any moral or legal ground.
The Supreme Court has long established that disputes regarding party leadership, candidate selection, and internal wrangling are best resolved within the party structure. Yet, despite these precedents, PDP rushes to the same courts it once accused of overreaching. Is this not clear evidence of political convenience over principle?
The question remains: if the judiciary knows its role, why does it allow itself to be used as a tool for political convenience? And if PDP understands that its issues are internal, why does it continue to drag its mess into the courtroom? The answers lie not in the law, but in the convenience of jurisdictional hypocrisy and political theater.
Political Parties and the Judiciary: A Cycle of Hypocrisy
The hypocrisy is glaring. When it suits them, political parties declare that their matters are private, beyond the purview of judicial scrutiny. When the tide turns against them, they run to the same judiciary with desperate cries for intervention. This sick cycle is not just damaging to the legal system—it erodes trust in both the political and judicial institutions of Nigeria. PDP’s reliance on legal threats is not just desperation; it is a complete denial of the truth that its wounds are self-inflicted and require internal cleansing, not courtroom drama. Why should a divided house seek judgment from the courts when the answer is in its own hands? PDP must first heal itself before it can claim any moral or legal ground.
PDP’s decision to invoke Section 109(1)(g) of the Nigerian Constitution to strip defectors of their legislative seats is a futile gesture. The party claims that the defectors must vacate their seats because there is no ‘division’ within PDP to justify their move to APC. But what could be more divisive than two of its highest-ranking figures openly warring for power? Wike and Atiku have effectively created two factions within the party—one that favors the old guard politics of Atiku, and another that champions Wike’s brash, grassroots-oriented style.
The legal threats, therefore, are nothing more than a smokescreen—an attempt to distract from the leadership crisis that PDP has refused to acknowledge. Even if the courts side with PDP, the fundamental problem remains: the party is divided at its core, and no amount of legal gymnastics will heal that wound.
But let us ask the big question: why run to the courts when the PDP and other political parties have, over and over again, demanded that the judiciary stays away from internal party matters? Have we forgotten that the courts themselves, including the Supreme Court, have repeatedly ruled that the judiciary should not interfere in the internal disputes of political parties? So, what is the essence of rushing to the courts now? Is this not just another cycle of political hypocrisy where the judiciary is only good when it serves one’s interests?
The parties and the judiciary, it seems, are playing a sick game—one where legal action is used not to solve problems, but to mask the deep rot within. PDP’s reliance on legal threats is not just desperation; it is a complete denial of the truth that its wounds are self-inflicted and require internal cleansing, not courtroom drama. Why should a divided house seek judgment from the courts when the answer is in its own hands? PDP must first heal itself before it can claim any moral or legal ground.
PDP’s decision to invoke Section 109(1)(g) of the Nigerian Constitution to strip defectors of their legislative seats is a futile gesture. The party claims that the defectors must vacate their seats because there is no ‘division’ within PDP to justify their move to APC. But what could be more divisive than two of its highest-ranking figures openly warring for power? Wike and Atiku have effectively created two factions within the party—one that favors the old guard politics of Atiku, and another that champions Wike’s brash, grassroots-oriented style.
The legal threats, therefore, are nothing more than a smokescreen—an attempt to distract from the leadership crisis that PDP has refused to acknowledge. Even if the courts side with PDP, the fundamental problem remains: the party is divided at its core, and no amount of legal gymnastics will heal that wound.
Sack, Remove, or Quarantine: Reclaiming PDP’s Soul
Sack, Remove, or Quarantine: Reclaiming PDP’s Soul
If the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) is to regain its strength and relevance, it must make a bold decision: sack, remove, or quarantine both Nyesom Wike and Atiku Abubakar from all forms of leadership influence and strategic positions. Their endless power struggle has become a malignant tumor, draining the party of its vitality and unity. This is not mere rivalry—it is internal sabotage that has crippled PDP from within, turning it into a shadow of its former self.
The reality is clear: a house divided against itself cannot stand. As long as Wike and Atiku continue to dominate, defections will persist, and PDP will remain fractured, incapable of mounting any real opposition. Their personal ambitions have taken precedence over the party’s survival, splintering PDP into factions from the local to the national level.
Time to Choose: Loyalty to PDP or Loyalty to Self
If Wike and Atiku truly respect the party that brought them to prominence, they should step aside voluntarily. If they genuinely care for PDP’s future, they should either exit gracefully or go into political hibernation. Their presence now symbolizes discord, not unity.
PDP must choose: reclaim its soul or continue to be held hostage by the ambitions of two men who have turned unity into chaos. The path forward is clear—sack, remove, or quarantine. Anything less is political suicide.
Loyalty Wars: PDP’s Two-Headed Crisis
The reality is even more severe than it appears. From the local government level to the state structures, and right up to the national leadership, PDP is fractured into two clear factions—one loyal to Wike and the other to Atiku. The division is so deep that even party executives are split into camps, making collective decision-making almost impossible. Local meetings are held separately, state conventions are marred by infighting, and national assemblies turn into battlegrounds of influence and sabotage.
In fact, there is virtually no aspect of PDP’s structure that is not tainted by this split. It is not just the legislators defecting; it is the very spirit of unity that has defected from PDP. The house is divided, and everyone is picking sides—not based on ideology or national interest, but on personal allegiance to Wike or Atiku. A party that cannot decide on its internal structure cannot hope to challenge the unity of the APC.
Political Quarantine: Isolate the Gladiators
The way Wike and Atiku have dragged PDP into a wrestling match of egos and power grabs is no different from a toxic virus spreading through the body of the party. In any functioning institution, when a part becomes infected, you quarantine it to protect the whole. PDP must do the same. It must socially and psychologically isolate Wike and Atiku’s influence—cut them off from decision-making, strategy sessions, and party administration. This is not just symbolic; it is essential for recovery. Imagine a political quarantine where Wike and Atiku are kept in a figurative isolation ward, away from the core of PDP’s rebuilding process.
Wike can continue to flex his political muscles in isolation, and Atiku can endlessly campaign for his elusive presidential dream—but it must happen outside of the decision-making walls of the PDP. Until these two political gladiators are quarantined from the main structure, the party will continue to bleed members to APC and other opportunistic platforms.
Detoxifying PDP: Cleansing the Political Poison
Quarantining Wike and Atiku is not just about isolating their influence—it is about detoxifying the party’s bloodstream from the constant infighting, mistrust, and regionalism that has plagued it for years. PDP must undergo political detox, shedding off the layers of factionalism and ego-driven conflicts that have rendered it ineffective. A new leadership, free from the shadows of Wike and Atiku’s political brawling, is the only way forward.
If PDP does not act, it may as well rename its headquarters “Wike and Atiku’s Wrestling Arena”—a place where political muscles are flexed, but no real leadership emerges. It is time for the party to disinfect, rebuild, and emerge stronger. The choice is clear; the solution is even clearer.
If PDP truly wishes to heal, it must do what is necessary but difficult: sack both Wike and Atiku from leadership positions. Their rivalry has poisoned the well of unity and drained the party of its vitality. A house divided against itself cannot stand, and as long as these two remain at the helm, the defections will continue. Only by making a bold move to cleanse itself of this internal sabotage can PDP become the real oppositional force Nigeria desperately needs.
Psychological and Social Quarantine: The Need for Isolation
The way Wike and Atiku have dragged PDP into a wrestling match of egos and power grabs is no different from a toxic virus spreading through the body of the party. In any functioning institution, when a part becomes infected, you quarantine it to protect the whole. PDP must do the same. It must socially and psychologically isolate Wike and Atiku’s influence—cut them off from decision-making, strategy sessions, and party administration. This is not just symbolic; it is essential for recovery. Imagine a political quarantine where Wike and Atiku are kept in a figurative isolation ward, away from the core of PDP’s rebuilding process.
Wike can continue to flex his political muscles in isolation, and Atiku can endlessly campaign for his elusive presidential dream—but it must happen outside of the decision-making walls of the PDP. Until these two political gladiators are quarantined from the main structure, the party will continue to bleed members to APC and other opportunistic platforms.
A Political Detoxification: Reclaiming the Soul of the Party
Quarantining Wike and Atiku is not just about isolating their influence—it is about detoxifying the party’s bloodstream from the constant infighting, mistrust, and regionalism that has plagued it for years. PDP must undergo political detox, shedding off the layers of factionalism and ego-driven conflicts that have rendered it ineffective. A new leadership, free from the shadows of Wike and Atiku’s political brawling, is the only way forward.
If PDP does not act, it may as well rename its headquarters “Wike and Atiku’s Wrestling Arena”—a place where political muscles are flexed, but no real leadership emerges. It is time for the party to disinfect, rebuild, and emerge stronger. The choice is clear; the solution is even clearer.
If PDP truly wishes to heal, it must do what is necessary but difficult: sack both Wike and Atiku from leadership positions. Their rivalry has poisoned the well of unity and drained the party of its vitality. It’s like watching two rival landlords fight over a crumbling building while the tenants (PDP members) pack their bags and run to a sturdier house (APC). How long can a house divided against itself stand before it collapses completely? If Wike and Atiku are the landlords, then APC is the real estate agent cashing in on PDP’s self-inflicted decay.
Perhaps it is time to socially and psychologically quarantine them—not in the literal sense, but in the sense of isolating their influence from PDP’s decision-making. A quarantine of political ego. Imagine, if you will, a political isolation ward where endless ego battles and regional strongman politics are locked away for rehabilitation. Wike can wrestle his power fantasies in one corner, while Atiku debates his eternal quest for the presidency in another. The party can finally breathe and heal from within.
Only by making a bold move to cleanse itself of this internal sabotage can PDP become the real oppositional force Nigeria desperately needs. A restructured PDP—one that is free from the clutches of these gladiatorial showdowns—can once again serve as the voice of the people. But that path to redemption begins with truth and action, not blame and legal posturing. The time has come for PDP to face its reality, make the hard choices, and become the genuine opposition that Nigeria deserves.
If PDP does not act, it may as well rename its headquarters “Wike and Atiku’s Wrestling Arena”—a place where political muscles are flexed, but no real leadership emerges. It is time for the party to disinfect, rebuild, and emerge stronger. The choice is clear; the solution is even clearer.
If PDP truly wishes to heal, it must do what is necessary but difficult: sack both Wike and Atiku from leadership positions. Their rivalry has poisoned the well of unity and drained the party of its vitality. A house divided against itself cannot stand, and as long as these two remain at the helm, the defections will continue. Only by making a bold move to cleanse itself of this internal sabotage can PDP become the real oppositional force Nigeria desperately needs.
A restructured PDP—one that is free from the clutches of endless ego battles and regional strongman politics—can once again serve as the voice of the people. But that path to redemption begins with truth and action, not blame and legal posturing. The time has come for PDP to face its reality, make the hard choices, and become the genuine opposition that Nigeria deserves.
APC’s Strategic Absorption: Exploiting PDP’s Weakness
The APC’s successful absorption of PDP senators is not just a matter of political maneuvering—it is the result of strategic planning and internal unity. While the PDP fights itself, the APC consolidates its strength, strategically placing itself as the singular dominant force in Nigerian politics. If the PDP continues its path of self-deception, it will not be the APC that kills it; it will be its own unwillingness to address the fractures within its leadership.
PDP’s Crossroad: Rebuild or Disappear??
The ball is in PDP’s court. Will it acknowledge the internal betrayal that has plagued it for years and take the necessary steps to reform? Or will it continue its game of blame while its members flock to a ruling party that, despite its own issues, understands the value of political cohesion? The choice is clear: face the truth, sack Wike and Atiku, and rebuild—or watch as APC cements its grip on power with no real opposition to challenge it.
Nigeria needs a real opposition, not a fractured echo of past glories. The time to act is now.
This writer does not know any of the individuals involved; the focus is solely on upholding democracy, truth, and justice.
Prof. John Egbeazien Oshodi
Oshodi Open Door Public Training (OOPDT), also known as Oshodi Open Door, is a public awareness initiative dedicated to promoting transparency, accountability, and integrity in Africa. Through educational articles and resources, OOPDT fosters informed discourse on governance, institutional reform, and psychological well-being. It also provides specialized Timely Response Solutions (TRS) training at minimal or no cost, ensuring swift and effective interventions for critical institutional and societal challenges. For more information, contact: [email protected].
Professor John Egbeazien Oshodi is an American psychologist, educator, and author specializing in forensic, legal, and clinical psychology, cross-cultural psychology, police and prison sciences, and community justice. Born in Uromi, Edo State, Nigeria, he is the son of a 37-year veteran of the Nigeria Police Force—an experience that shaped his enduring commitment to justice, security, and psychological reform.
A pioneer in the field, he introduced state-of-the-art forensic psychology to Nigeria in 2011 through the National Universities Commission and Nasarawa State University, where he served as Associate Professor in the Department of Psychology. His contributions extend beyond academia through the Oshodi Foundation and the Center for Psychological and Forensic Services, advancing mental health, behavioral reform, and institutional transformation.
Professor Oshodi has held faculty positions at Florida Memorial University, Florida International University, Broward College, where he also served as Assistant Professor and Interim Associate Dean, Nova Southeastern University, and Lynn University. He is currently a contributing faculty member at Walden University and a virtual professor with WeldiosUniversity and ISCOM University.
In the United States, he serves as a government consultant in forensic-clinical psychology, offering expertise in mental health, behavioral analysis, and institutional evaluation. He is also the founder of Psychoafricalysis, a theoretical framework that integrates African sociocultural dynamics into modern psychology.
A proud Black Republican, Professor Oshodi advocates for individual empowerment, ethical leadership, and institutional integrity. His work focuses on promoting functional governance and sustainable development across Africa.
