THE Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has reaffirmed that its elective National Convention will hold as scheduled on November 15 and 16, 2025, in Ibadan, Oyo State, despite fresh opposition from a faction loyal to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike.
Speaking at the inauguration of the National Convention Committee at the party’s national secretariat in Abuja on Tuesday, the PDP Acting National Chairman, Ambassador Iliya Damagum, dismissed fears of disruption, declaring that detractors would not succeed in derailing the party’s democratic process.
“The PDP is alive, strong, and ready to challenge the APC in 2027. Nothing will stop our national convention,” Damagum insisted.
However, in what appears to be an intensifying internal struggle, a bloc within the PDP, under the banner of “Eminent Leaders and Concerned Stakeholders”, issued a fresh set of demands on Monday night.
The group, largely seen as loyal to Wike, includes former governors Samuel Ortom (Benue), Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi (Enugu), Ayo Fayose (Ekiti), Okezie Ikpeazu (Abia), and the party’s National Secretary, Samuel Anyanwu.
After a closed-door meeting in Abuja, the group said while it accepts the decision of the National Executive Committee (NEC) that the status quo on zoning should remain, it strongly rejects any move towards micro-zoning of party offices.
According to their communiqué, the office of the National Chairman must remain in the North-Central zone, in line with the formula agreed upon at the 2021 convention.
The group also made a series of demands aimed at addressing what it described as lingering injustices within the party’s structures. These include: an urgent fresh, transparent, and inclusive congress in Ebonyi and Anambra States, in line with court rulings, a new South-East Zonal Congress to replace what they described as a flawed exercise, full recognition of the South-South Congress held in Calabar, which has already been upheld by the courts and immediate conduct of Ekiti Local Government congresses, in compliance with subsisting court judgments.
The leaders stressed that any credible convention must be built on inclusivity, fairness, and respect for judicial pronouncements.
“The PDP stands at a defining crossroads. Unity cannot be built on exclusion or neglect of valid court rulings. A credible National Convention must reflect transparency and fairness,” their communiqué read.
The wrangling highlights the PDP’s fragile internal balance as it prepares for the convention that will determine its leadership and possibly its direction ahead of the 2027 general elections.
While Damagum maintains that the convention will proceed without hindrance, analysts warn that unresolved disputes particularly those involving Wike’s influential camp could deepen existing cracks within the party.
Party insiders say that the Ibadan convention could either mark a turning point for reconciliation or entrench further divisions within the PDP, which has been struggling to reassert itself as Nigeria’s main opposition force since losing power in 2015.