The political camp of the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, and the leadership of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) appear to have divergent views regarding the party’s November national convention in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital.
While the Wike group has issued an ultimatum to the party’s National Working Committee (NWC) to immediately adhere to court directives and ensure internal fairness—or risk an “invalid” national convention—the PDP National Chairman, Ambassador Iliya Damagum, has insisted the event will go on as planned.
The faction, under the auspices of Eminent Leaders and Concerned Stakeholders of PDP, after a meeting held at the residence of the FCT Minister at Life Camp, Abuja, urged the party’s leadership to resolve the crisis or face consequences regarding the convention’s legitimacy.
Their position was conveyed in a communiqué delivered late Monday night by the former Governor of Benue State, Samuel Ortom, on behalf of the G-5 Governors at the end of the meeting.
The gathering included influential figures such as FCT Minister Nyesom Wike; former governors Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi (Enugu), Okezie Ikpeazu (Abia), Ayodele Fayose (Ekiti); and PDP National Secretary Sam Anyanwu.
They were joined by current and former members of the National Assembly, and notable stakeholders including Rivers State House of Assembly Speaker Martin Amaewhule and former FCT Senator Phillip Aduda, among others.
Addressing the party’s current state, Ortom conveyed the group’s concerns, emphasising that the PDP stands at a “defining crossroads.”
He said, “Our future relevance hinges on the ability to reconcile internal disputes, uphold fairness, and respect constitutional processes.”
The leaders outlined critical demands for ensuring a credible convention.
They called on the NWC to conduct fresh, transparent, and inclusive congresses in Ebonyi and Anambra States, and to take immediate action regarding certain local government areas in Ekiti State, in compliance with ongoing court rulings.
Additionally, they demanded a legitimate South-East Zonal Congress and the recognition of the already validated South-South Congress held in Calabar, Cross River State.
No Micro-Zoning of Posts – Wike’s Camp
On the contentious issue of zoning party offices, the PDP chieftains voiced support for the recommendations of the Zoning Committee adopted by the National Executive Committee (NEC), but insisted there should be “no form of micro-zoning” for the sake of peace and stability within the party.
They advocated for open, competitive elections and emphasised that the national chairman should remain from the North-Central zone, consistent with the zoning formula from the 2021 convention.
The communiqué concluded with an ultimatum, warning: “Failure to comply with the above resolutions shall render any purported national convention invalid.”
Ortom added, “The PDP was built on the foundation of inclusivity, fairness, and justice. To regain our position as the leading opposition and true alternative for Nigerians, the party must rise above narrow interests.”
The stakeholders reaffirmed their loyalty to the PDP, stressing their commitment to making the forthcoming National Convention a “watershed moment for the party,” where unity prevails over division and justice triumphs over impunity.
Damagum: Convention Will Hold as Planned
However, speaking at the inauguration of the National Convention Committee at the party headquarters in Abuja on Tuesday, PDP National Chairman Amb. Damagum said those opposed to the convention were mere detractors and would not succeed.
He affirmed that the PDP is alive, strong, united, and ready to challenge the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in 2027.
“Today, I say with conviction that the PDP is not broken. The PDP is not defeated. The PDP is marching forward—stronger, more determined, and better prepared to reclaim the presidency of this great country and rebuild Nigeria from the mismanagement of the current ruling party,” Damagum declared.
We Are Not Afraid of Anybody, We Are Not Cowards – PDP Govs
Similarly, governors elected on the party’s platform declared that they are neither cowards nor afraid of anyone regarding the national convention.
They spoke during the inauguration of the 2025 National Convention Organising Committee.
Speaking on behalf of his colleagues, Chairman of the PDP Governors’ Forum and Governor of Bauchi State, Bala Mohammed, pledged the governors’ commitment to ensuring the successful conduct of the convention.
Governor Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri of Adamawa State will chair the committee, with Governor Ademola Adeleke of Osun State as Vice Chairman. Governor Peter Mbah of Enugu State will serve as Secretary.
The convention aims to elect new national officers to lead the party into the next general elections and beyond.
Bala Mohammed, while expressing confidence in the committee’s leadership, warned that the party and its leaders will no longer tolerate being taken for granted.
He said, “We are with the National Working Committee. We appreciate their sacrifice and the way they have brought consensus to bear on the way forward. Certainly, the time has come when we must flex our muscles. We are not cowards, and we are not afraid of anybody.”
“We are capable of navigating this party beyond the shenanigans, the arrogance, and the impunity of some people. We cannot continue to keep quiet and allow people to take us to the slaughterhouse. That is their job. Our job is to ensure we don’t go to the slaughterhouse.”
“The keyword is discipline. We will no longer allow or tolerate anybody to take us for granted. It has to stop. Enough is enough. Yes, consensus. Yes, accommodation. But accommodation cannot mean stupidity. Mr. Chairman, we are with you on this journey as governors. We believe in the capacity of the regulator, INEC,” he said.
Damagum: We’re Holding the Line
For his part, PDP National Chairman Damagum praised the committee’s competence and said it reflects the diversity and unity of the PDP family.
He described the upcoming national convention as critically important, noting that the challenges facing the PDP as the leading opposition are evolving.
“While the faction that broke out has not garnered much traction, we know politics is dynamic. The ruling class may seek to capitalise on or sponsor such distractions to weaken the PDP, which remains the only dominant opposition party in our dear country.”
He said many destructive voices against the party came from individuals who had benefited immensely from the PDP.
“They seek to sow division and weaken party structures, but posterity will judge us positively. History will record, and analysts will debate, but the consensus will remain that in a time of great difficulty, this National Working Committee under my leadership held the line and did a remarkable job,” he said.
Damagum also criticised recent by-elections across the country and local government elections in Port Harcourt.
“Opposition parties were met with intimidation and blatant rigging. The ruling party has shown no regard for democracy. Its only interest lies in disenfranchising voters and stealing mandates. I will not dignify their actions by calling it ‘winning.’”
“Just as during the military era, when the founding fathers of our great party courageously accepted the responsibility of challenging the existing power structure, today we, too, accept this responsibility—to rescue Nigeria’s democracy from undemocratic forces and save our nation from ongoing bastardisation,” he said.
BoT Backs November National Convention
Speaking on behalf of the PDP Board of Trustees (BoT), its Secretary, Senator Ahmed Makarfi, declared full support for the November national convention.
He said, “The BoT has always, and will always, continue to work with our working committee and with our governors to ensure that we achieve whatever we set for ourselves.”
He described the work of the Convention Planning Committee as challenging but crucial, adding that success is largely dependent on internal consensus and collaboration.
“Convention is not about excluding anybody; it’s also not a denial of the majority to have their way, because that’s what democracy is about. Convention is not about 100 percent, but about the overwhelming majority. If you have 100 percent, fine.”
“The party has zoned its positions—North and South. The North can sit and decide what they want. The South can do likewise. But that should not deny any individual who disagrees from testing their will—buy the form, go to the field, and test your capacity.”
“So there’s no need to raise tensions, because there will be no, and there should be no, exclusion. That has been the tradition since the PDP was formed. We have always been building consensus. Now, we need it more than ever. I believe we have the capacity to do that.”
