In a stunning declaration, former Ekiti State governor, Ayodele Fayose, has publicly accused three prominent figures of causing the collapse of Nigeria's main opposition party, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
Fayose's Explosive Accusation on National TV
Speaking as a guest on Channels Television's Politics Today programme on Friday, January 9, 2026, Fayose, who is now an expelled member of the PDP, did not mince words. He squarely placed the blame for the party's current woes on former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, the party's immediate past national chairman, Iyorchia Ayu, and the senator representing Sokoto South, Aminu Tambuwal.
Fayose stated emphatically, "Atiku destroyed the PDP. Tambuwal destroyed the PDP. Ayu destroyed the PDP." He made it clear that his comments were not motivated by personal political ambition, adding, "I am not contesting any election, and I have not asked anybody for a favour."
The PDP: A Party in Deep Crisis
Fayose's outburst comes against the backdrop of a severely factionalised PDP. The party, which governed Nigeria for 16 consecutive years before losing power to the All Progressives Congress (APC), is now split into at least two major camps.
One faction is led by Kabiru Turaki (SAN), while another is headed by Abdulrahman Mohammed, who is loyal to the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister, Nyesom Wike. Wike, a key PDP figure, currently serves in the APC-led federal government, highlighting the deep internal contradictions plaguing the opposition.
Fayose described the situation in dire terms, declaring the party "technically dead." He argued, "The PDP is now no more. Technically. Until there is a pronouncement of the court to say which line of the party is right."
Broader Political Implications and Resignations
The former governor also commented on the broader political landscape, suggesting a smooth path for President Bola Tinubu in the 2027 elections due to the opposition's disarray. He mentioned Peter Obi's influence in the African Democratic Congress (ADC), implying other parties lack vitality.
The crisis is not just about words; it is leading to concrete actions. In a related development, the chairman of the PDP in Taraba State, Abubakar Bawa, recently resigned from his position and withdrew his membership from the party entirely.
Although Bawa did not give explicit reasons, insiders suggest his exit may be connected to rumours of Governor Agbu Kefas's potential defection to the APC. This resignation is a clear indicator of the crumbling structures within the once-dominant political party.
The future of the PDP now appears to hinge on pending court decisions that could determine its legitimate leadership. Until then, as Fayose starkly put it, the party remains in a state of technical non-existence, its legacy overshadowed by internal battles and accusations of destruction from within.
