By Abdulkarim Ibrahim
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has announced plans to hold its Elective National Convention on November 15-16, 2025, in Ibadan, Oyo State.
This decision was made during the party’s 101st National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting at the PDP National Secretariat in Abuja. The convention aims to elect new national officers who will lead the party for the next four years, positioning it for the 2027 general elections ¹.
According to the PDP National Publicity Secretary, Debo Ologunagba, the NEC approved the convention’s schedule and timetable, emphasizing the party’s commitment to transparency and credibility. The NEC also directed the party’s leadership to inform the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) about the convention’s details ².
The PDP NEC expressed satisfaction with the party’s internal reconciliation efforts, noting that many members who defected to other parties have returned after realizing their mistake. Acting National Chairman Ambassador Umar Iliya Damagum highlighted the party’s strength and unity, stating that the PDP is the platform of choice for Nigerians seeking responsible leadership.
The NEC also resolved to take legal action against lawmakers who defected from the PDP to other parties, citing constitutional provisions that render such defections unlawful. With its next NEC meeting scheduled for August 25, 2025, the PDP is gearing up for a crucial phase in its journey towards the 2027 elections.
“Some persons have recently learned the hard way that a bird in hand is worth two in the bush,” Damagum remarked. “Many who jumped on the coalition bandwagon have already returned to our fold. Some even claim they never left and merely attended a meeting—we accept their confessions without prejudice.”
“PDP remains the platform of choice for all Nigerians and the only party with the structure, legacy, and national acceptability capable of delivering a people-oriented government,” Damagum stated.
Former Kaduna State Governor and secretary of the PDP Board of Trustees (BoT), Senator Ahmed Makarfi, in a separate remark, urged members to exhibit discipline and caution in their public comments, stressing the importance of unity and collective responsibility.
“These meetings are critical. We thank God for the stability that has returned to the party. But we must never take it for granted,” Makarfi warned. “We must not demarket the party or express personal opinions as if they were party positions. The success of the convention will define the political landscape in this country.”
He emphasised that the convention presents a crucial opportunity to reconcile aggrieved members and attract new entrants to the PDP fold.
The NEC reaffirmed PDP’s commitment to democratic ideals and its determination to lead Nigeria into a new era of good governance in 2027. The next NEC meeting has been scheduled for Monday, August 25, 2025.
The communique was presented by the party’s National Publicity Secretary, Hon. Debo Ologunagba.
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has dismissed a recently collapsed coalition as an “ill-fated venture” and “failed political experiment”. According to Acting National Chairman Ambassador Umar Iliya Damagum, the coalition’s quick collapse has reaffirmed the PDP’s national viability, stability, and readiness to lead Nigeria back to prosperity ¹.
Damagum revealed that not only PDP members but also individuals from other parties who had joined the alliance have now retraced their steps. This development has boosted the party’s confidence in its own strength and viability.
The PDP’s National Executive Committee (NEC) has approved the full schedule and timetable for the upcoming Elective National Convention. The convention aims to elect new national officers who will lead the party for the next four years, positioning it for the 2027 general elections. Damagum and National Secretary Senator Samuel Anyanwu have been directed to formally notify the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in accordance with the Electoral Act.
The NEC also approved the composition of both the National Convention Committee and the Zoning Committee to ensure a transparent and credible convention process. These committees will play a crucial role in organizing the convention and ensuring that it meets the party’s expectations.
The NEC has instructed the National Working Committee (NWC) to initiate immediate legal action to reclaim the seats of National and State Assembly members elected on the PDP platform who have defected to other parties. According to the party, such lawmakers have automatically forfeited their seats, as there is neither division nor merger within the PDP to justify such defections.
The NEC expressed serious concern over reports of PDP members attending meetings of other political parties and warned that dual allegiance is not allowed under Nigerian law. The party urged affected members to reaffirm their commitment to the PDP, while assuring them that many of their grievances are already being addressed.
The PDP reiterated its openness to collaborating with well-meaning Nigerians and other democratic forces in a united effort to rescue the country from what it described as the “stranglehold” of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC). This move underscores the party’s commitment to working with others to achieve common goals and promote democratic progress in Nigeria.