The Lagos State governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Dr. Adetokunbo Pearse, has described the faction of the party associated with former Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike, as illegitimate, alleging that it is working in the interest of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
Pearse said the PDP had been caught in a prolonged internal “situationship” following Wike’s decision to establish what he described as a faction of the party. He maintained that the PDP recognised by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) since its registration in 1998 remained the authentic party, insisting that he was the governorship candidate of the “bonafide PDP” and not a group that emerged only a few months ago.
The PDP candidate also took a swipe at Deji Doherty, who is associated with the Wike-backed faction in Lagos, over his claim that he is best positioned to implement President Bola Tinubu’s policies in the state. Pearse argued that the position further reinforced allegations that the faction was working for the APC ahead of the 2027 elections.
Pearse also recalled the political alignment involving Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, describing it as part of the broader political developments surrounding the PDP crisis. He said the internal divisions within the party had created an unusual situation in which prominent PDP figures were allegedly pursuing political interests outside the party while still claiming its platform.
He further referenced Wike’s criticism of former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, whom the former Rivers governor had accused of contributing to the PDP’s crisis because of his political ambitions. Pearse, however, suggested that the same criticism could be applied to Wike and those aligned with him, given the emergence of competing structures and candidates within the party.
The Lagos PDP candidate maintained that the divisions should not obscure the identity of the party recognised by INEC. According to him, the factional dispute is a political struggle that should not be mistaken for the emergence of a new PDP, insisting that the party registered in 1998 remains the legitimate platform under which he is contesting the Lagos governorship election.
The development further deepens the political contest within the Lagos PDP, where rival camps are laying claim to the party’s structure and governorship ticket ahead of the 2027 general elections.
