Why Nigeria's one-time political giant may face extinction

Early this year, the PDP held three states but that is now down to zero - with the Oyo governorship slipping from the party's hands just last month.Grace Ekpu / BBCIn 2019, these women supported Atiku Abubakar as the PDP candidate for president - he left the party in 2025Internal power struggles, factionalism, insistence that power rotates through the regions and disciplinary measures have all added to the sense of disillusionment within the party.The PDP has been robbed of high-profile figures and talent, including the loss of former Vice-President Atiku Aubakar last year.The crisis was intensified by a debilitating leadership tussle.In November 2025, a faction of the party, which observers say represented the majority of members, held a contentious national convention in Ibadan, Oyo state, despite court orders attempting to stop it.The convention expelled Nyesom Wike, a prominent PDP member who is serving in President Bola Tinubu's APC-led government.Wike, who helped found the party, heads a rival faction creating a political stand-off that has paralysed the PDP.