•Heads to court to recover seats of defected NASS members, others •Says APC rudderless, insensitive
•PDP elated over turnout at NEC meeting •All are welcome, but we won’t condone indiscipline again —Govs’ forum •We’re waxing stronger, says Damagum
THE Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has picked November 15 to 16 as dates for its 2025 Elective National Convention to be held in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital.
The decision was taken in Abuja, on Thursday, at its 101st National Executive Council (NEC) meeting, where it empowered the acting national chairman, Ambassador Umar Damagum, and the national secretary, Senator Samuel Anyanwu, to immediately write to “inform the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) of the time, venue and agenda of the Elective National Convention in accordance with the requirement of Section 82 (1) of the Electoral Act, 2022 and Part 2(12) of the Regulations and Guidelines for Political Parties, 2022.”
The NEC showed its happiness over how contentious issues tearing the party apart were resolved, noting that it signalled a new spirit of oneness in the PDP.
In an 11-point communique issued at the end of the meeting and read by the National Publicity Secretary, Honourable Debo Ologunagba, the NEC stated: “NEC expressed satisfaction over the resolution of all contentions and disagreements within the Party which again demonstrates the engrained patriotic disposition of PDP members and our Party’s democratic principles of dialogue, mutual understanding and commitment to the overall interest of the PDP and the common good of all Nigerians.
“NEC reassures all Party members and Nigerians that the PDP remains a strong, united, cohesive, stable and focused political Party repositioned to effectively play its role as the leading opposition Party in galvanizing all efforts towards rescuing our dear nation from the catastrophic misrule of the All Progressives Congress (APC).
“Pursuant to the foregoing, NEC approved the year 2025 Elective National Convention Schedule of Activities and Timetable. Under the approved Timetable, the Elective National Convention to elect the next set of National Officers of our Party will hold on Saturday, 15th to Sunday, 16th November, 2025 in Ibadan, the Oyo State Capital.
“Consequently, NEC directed the National Chairman, His Excellency, Ambassador Iliya Damagum and the National Secretary, Senator Samuel Anyanwu to officially write to inform the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) of the time, venue and agenda of the Elective National Convention in accordance with the requirement of Section 82 (1) of the Electoral Act, 2022 and Part 2(12) of the Regulations and Guidelines for Political Parties, 2022.
“Accordingly, NEC approved the membership composition of the National Convention Committee as well as the membership composition of the National Convention Zoning Committee to ensure a successful, transparent and credible Elective National Convention.”
However, the PDP organ frowned on its former members in the National Assembly and the state Houses of Assembly, who defected to all political parties, while still holding on to their seats, saying that all the seats must be recovered.
It directed National Working Committee (NWC) to head to court to initiate the process of recovering all the seats.
“In its determination to preserve the entire electoral mandate given to our party by Nigerians across the country, NEC directed the National Working Committee (NWC) to take immediate legal action to recover the seats of all serving members of the National and State Assemblies elected on the platform of the PDP but defected to another party.
“By virtue of the self-executory provision of Sections 68 (1) (g) and 109 (1) (g) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended) such defectors have irredeemably lost their seats, there being no division or merger with regard to the PDP”, it added.
The NEC also raised concerns over the behavior of some party members whom it said were in the PDP while at the same time participating in the activities of opposition parties, advising them to have a rethink.
“NEC expressed serious concern and frowns at the reported participation and involvement of some party members in the activities, meetings and gathering of another political party.
“NEC calls on these members to reconsider their actions and show loyalty and commitment as members of the PDP especially as the law does not permit membership of two political Parties at the same time.
“NEC reassures such members of the successes recorded so far towards addressing their concerns on issues relating to our party.
“NEC restates that the PDP as the leading opposition Party and platform of choice for all Nigerians remains open in working with other well-meaning and like-minded citizens in the collective effort to rescue our nation from the stranglehold of the rudderless and insensitive APC administration,” it further stated.
The PDP restated its determination to wrestle power from the ruling party in 2027, and fixed the 102nd NEC meeting for Monday, August 25.
Ahead of the NEC meeting proper, party leaders and stakeholders were elated over the appreciable turnout of members.
The meeting, which took place at its Wuse Zone 5 Wadata Plaza National Secretariat in Abuja, was attended by six of its governors, including the Chairman of the PDP Governors’ Forum and Governor of Bauchi State, Senator Bala Mohammed, and the Governor of Osun State, Senator Ademola Adeleke.
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) also registered presence at the meeting.
Coming after several botched attempts to hold the meeting and the recent defection of many strong members to the All Progressives Congress (APC) and to form a coalition with the African Democratic Congress (ADC), the party expressed satisfaction that the hope of rebuilding was not lost.
“The composure of this NEC attests to the fact that the PDP is still one and waxing stronger.
“We look forward to our national convention, flowing from here”, a jubilant Acting National Chairman, Ambassador Umar Damagum, said as he made his opening remarks.
Damagum recalled the challenging times of late, noting that while some members left and later returned, others claimed they never left the party.
Former Kaduna State governor, Senator. Ahmed Makarfi, who represented the Chairman of the Board of Trustees (BoT), Senator Adulphus Wabara, sent the good wishes of the BoT members.
Makarfi, who is the Secretary of the BoT, said “people thought this meeting would never take place, but we are here to prove doubting Thomases wrong.”
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He believes that the party has the capacity to iron out any internal issues and ultimately convene a “successful national convention” that will produce equally capable hands to lead the party into 2027.
“Nigeria is waiting for us. The outcome of the convention will redefine the political landscape in this country.
“As we try to win back confidence, let’s measure our comments to avoid raising tension again”, he added.
Similarly, the governors’ forum declared its “undiluted” support for the party, expressing regrets that “impatience” had forced some members to exit the party before the rebuilding started, thereby denying themselves the opportunity to be part of the new spirit in the PDP.
“This NEC is quite important. We have come a long way, showing resilience and with the governors solidly behind you. We are working behind the scenes to support the BoT, support the NWC, and the caucuses of the National Assembly.”
Speaking about those who had already defected, Mohammed waved the olive branch, but warned against indiscipline, which he said the new PDP would not tolerate.
“We sympathise with those who were impatient and left. Our doors are open but we will not continue to condole indiscipline. Indiscipline brought us where we are today”, he stressed.
Mohammed, who claimed that “all governors” were together, thanked the founding fathers for their interventions so far.
He assured members that in the spirit of rebuilding, party loyalty must take precedence over personal acrimonies that had lately held the PDP down.
The Senate and House of Representatives caucuses of the party, led by Senator Abba Moro and Honourable Kingsley Chinda respectively, also assured the PDP of the support of the lawmakers to resolve all internal differences and forge ahead as a united body.
“Those who are staying must be convinced that they can add value to the lives of the people, not those who gravitate from one party to another for the purpose of survival”, Moro, who is the Senate Minority Leader, stated.
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