The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Osun State has publicly rejected the dissolution of its State Working Committee (SWC) announced by the party’s National Working Committee (NWC), intensifying internal conflict within one of Nigeria’s leading opposition parties. The dispute highlights wider tensions over party structure, legitimacy and preparation ahead of upcoming elections.
In a statement signed by Sunday Bisi, chairman of the Osun PDP SWC, the state leadership asserted that its committee remains “lawful, intact and fully operational,” and dismissed the NWC’s dissolution as illegitimate. The SWC emphasised that its authority derives from due process and the collective will of party members in Osun State, urging supporters to remain “calm, vigilant and focused” in the face of what it described as “external pressure, unlawful national posturing, or recycled intimidation.”
The Osun PDP’s stance underscores a deepening internal governance dispute within the PDP, where questions about national authority versus state autonomy have come to the fore. The state leadership rejected directives from what it termed “unauthorised quarters,” and encouraged members to ignore statements it labelled illegitimate.
Caretaker Committee and National Decisions
The controversy stems from a decision by the PDP’s NWC to install caretaker committees in several states — including Osun — as part of what party officials describe as efforts to stabilise internal administration. The appointments were authorised by the National Executive Committee (NEC) under Sections 29(2)(b) and 21(2)(a-b) of the PDP Constitution (2025), and involve temporary leadership teams to manage party affairs pending the election of new executives.
In Osun, the caretaker committee is chaired by Tunde Tijani, with Bamidele Seyi-Abiola serving as secretary, alongside other members drawn from different parts of the state. Like similar panels installed in Delta, Enugu, Imo and Rivers States, the Osun caretaker committee is mandated to operate for up to 90 days or until a new elected executive is in place.
Proponents of the caretaker system argue that it provides a mechanism to streamline administration and resolve internal disputes, particularly where current leadership structures are seen as ineffective or misaligned with broader party objectives. A statement from the Professionals in Osun PDP lauded the NWC’s decision as necessary to “begin rebuilding and reorganisation” ahead of future electoral contests, especially given perceived shortcomings of the former SWC.
Legitimacy, Party Structure and Legal Questions
The Osun PDP’s rejection of the dissolution reflects broader questions within the PDP about party governance, constitutional authority and member representation. Similar disputes have surfaced in other states and factions over the past year, where state leaders resisted national decisions they saw as unilateral or inconsistent with due process — a tension that reflects deeper structural strains within the party.
Analysts note that internal PDP debates over caretaker committees and dissolutions are part of a longer trend within Nigerian party politics, where national leadership teams assert the right to intervene in state chapters to ensure alignment with overall strategy. Such measures are often justified as necessary for cohesion across the country, but can be perceived at the state level as intrusion or overreach — especially where local leaders believe they have grassroots legitimacy. The Osun dispute illustrates this fault line clearly.
Political Context in Osun and National Implications
Osun is among critical states where political performance and reputation matter ahead of senior electoral cycles, including federal and gubernatorial contests slated for 2026 and 2027. For the PDP, internal unity is seen by many strategists as crucial to rebuilding competitiveness in states dominated by the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC). Tensions such as the one in Osun could affect voter perception and organisational efficacy if not addressed constructively.
Both sides in the Osun PDP dispute frame their positions in terms of party unity and electoral preparedness — the dissenting SWC asserting its continued legitimacy, and supporters of the caretaker committee emphasising the need for structural realignment and inclusion of previously marginalised members. Exercises such as caretaker appointments are often intended to pacify disputes, but they can also heighten perceptions of factionalism if not backed by transparent communication and inclusive dialogue.
Looking Ahead
The unfolding situation in Osun PDP underscores a key organisational challenge for the nationwide party: balancing national oversight with respect for state autonomy and internal democracy. How the PDP resolves disputes over caretaker committees and executive dissolutions could have implications for its internal cohesion, public image and electoral prospects — especially as the country moves closer to significant political milestones.
As both factions maintain their positions, effective resolution will likely hinge on adherence to the PDP Constitution, engagement with all stakeholders, and a transparent process that reinforces legitimacy — not just within party corridors but in the eyes of Nigerian voters watching from the outside.