The camp loyal to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has suffered a significant political blow as the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) caucus in the House of Representatives elected Hon. Fred Abedi from Bayelsa State as its new leader.
The election, held during a closed-door caucus meeting on Wednesday night in Abuja, comes amid rising internal tensions within the party’s parliamentary ranks. Advertisements Attempts by House Minority Leader Kingsley Chinda (PDP–Rivers), a prominent Wike ally, to stall Abedi’s emergence were reportedly rebuffed by a majority of the lawmakers.
Sources familiar with the meeting said the caucus overwhelmingly backed Abedi, signalling a clear shift away from the influence of the Wike bloc and a broader effort to reposition the party’s legislative wing ahead of the 2027 general elections. “This is a turning point. The caucus has chosen unity, strength, and credible opposition over internal sabotage and external influence,” one lawmaker who attended the meeting told Newsmen
The development is widely seen as a rejection of what some members described as “anti-party tendencies” and undue interference from appointees of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), with Wike—a former PDP governor—frequently accused of aligning with the APC-led federal government.
Abedi’s election is expected to usher in a more assertive and coordinated PDP opposition in the House. Lawmakers say the move reflects growing dissatisfaction with perceived attempts to weaken the party’s influence in the National Assembly.
Party insiders say the caucus aims to restore unity and loyalty within its ranks, with a renewed focus on legislative performance and opposition strategy under Abedi’s leadership.
With the 2027 elections on the horizon, political observers believe the PDP’s decision could reshape the party’s posture in national politics and mark the beginning of a new chapter in its legislative engagement.
