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PDP National Convention Controversies
Just four days before its scheduled national convention, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) remains uncertain about whether one of its major events, the national convention, will proceed as planned.
The national convention primarily serves to elect the party's national chairman and other officials, as well as to approve significant decisions that impact the party.
However, despite the party's attempts to organize itself before the 2027 elections, efforts to begin with a clean slate are repeatedly disrupted by various crises.
The PDP is once again facing internal disputes regarding its choice to conduct the party's national convention in Ibadan, Oyo State, on November 15 and 16, marking the third such incident within a month because of disagreements among its leaders.
At its final National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting, the party chose to host the convention in Ibadan, with some members, including the minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, expressing disagreement with this choice.
Some members' resistance to the convention is thought to be part of attempts by certain individuals to gain full control of the party.
Being one of the largest opposition parties in Nigeria, there is significant hope that the convention will reveal the new leaders of the party who will steer it through an election year.
The desire for a new set of leaders to arise has increased due to the PDP's ongoing turmoil since the 2022 elections, which has not yet recovered, with only a few months remaining until the anticipated release of guidelines for the 2027 general elections.
Among those who were initially reported to be considering running for the chairmanship position following Damagum are former governor of Kaduna State, Ahmed Makarfi; former governor of Jigawa State, Sule Lamido, and former minister, Kabiru Tanimu Turaki.
Lamido claimed he was being prevented from running for the position because the party refused to sell him nomination and interest forms, so he took the matter to court, resulting in Tuesday's ruling that halted the party's convention.
Federal High Court Judge Peter Lifu in Abuja issued the injunction while adjudicating a request from the former governor, who claimed he was unfairly prevented from buying the nomination form for the national chairmanship position, thus being excluded from the process.
The court further directed INEC to refrain from overseeing or acknowledging the results of any such event organized by the party.
Experts believe that halting the convention would be difficult for the party to handle, given the recent back-and-forth it has experienced in a short period.
In October 2025, Judge James Omotosho from the federal High Court in Abuja issued an order to suspend the convention until the party meets the legal requirements outlined in its constitution, the Nigerian Constitution, and the Electoral Act.
He was involved in a lawsuit initiated by Austin Nwachukwu, the PDP Chairman in Imo State; Amah Abraham Nnanna, the PDP Chairman in Abia; and Turnah Alabh George, the PDP Secretary for the South-South region, who claimed that the proposed convention breached the Electoral Act and the PDP's internal regulations.
A few days after November 4, the Oyo State High Court issued an interim order allowing the party to proceed with its convention plans without interference, following an ex-parte application submitted by Folahan Adelabi against the PDP and other parties.
Background to crisis
Just prior to the 2023 elections, the party faced a crisis regarding which region would nominate its presidential candidate, and ultimately decided to allow participation from everyone.
After former vice president Atiku Abubakar was chosen as the candidate, a discontented faction, led by the then governor of Rivers State, Nyesom Wike, argued that both the party's chairman and presidential nominee should not originate from the same region, and demanded the removal of the then chairman, Iyorchia Ayu.
This resulted in a significant division, with five governors acting against the party's interests and those of its presidential candidate during the 2023 elections.
Experts argue that the party's failure to address the issue and enforce discipline on wayward members, even after Iyorchia Ayu was compelled to resign, has led to the present crisis, with factions supporting Wike continuing to act against the interests of other party members.
A former member of the House of Representatives, Timothy Golu, who is a leader of the PDP in Plateau State, stated that those who do not have the party's best interests at heart are responsible for the current crisis.
"We know that there are efforts to undermine the party because of 2027, but these attempts will not succeed," he said.
It was anticipated that he would step aside for a new NWC, as the party has allocated the presidential nomination to the South.
PDP is not unfamiliar with crisis
The gathering has previously faced challenges at its national conventions.
At its first major convention following its ascension as the ruling party, the efforts made by then President Olusegun Obasanjo to prevent Sunday Awoniyi from being elected as national chairman led to a significant division within the party.
Many of the chairmen who followed struggled to finish their terms due to continuous crises.
Barnabas Gemade served as chairman for only two years; Audu Ogbe, his successor, had a lengthy tenure but was forced to resign. He was succeeded by Ahmadu Ali in 2005; following this, Vincent Ogbulafor took over and led the party's affairs for two years, he too was compelled to leave under controversial conditions, making way for Okwesilieze Nwodo who ruled briefly and was later replaced by
Bamanga Tukur, who was also permitted to finish his term, stepped down in favor of Adamu Muazu, and subsequently, Uche Secondus assumed leadership when the party lost the 2015 elections.
Ayu took up the position in 2021 and was also required to leave the seat in 2023, making way for Damagum.
Damagum kept on serving until August, when he was formally recognized as the permanent National Chairman of the party during its 102nd National Executive Committee meeting.
The many crises
Ayu's departure from the national chairmanship failed to ease the frustrations of upset members, as Damagum took over in an acting role, with party members from the North Central region stating that the position should have remained within their zone.
As the controversy continued, the issue of who should be acknowledged as national secretary also arose, causing further division among members.
Even the party's Board of Trustees, BOT, was not spared, as it was removed by a faction loyal to the FCT minister, who claimed it had lost moral authority to continue operating.
The same group also attacked Damagum and named Abdulrahman Mohammed as acting chairman.
Some believe it is improbable that PDP will manage to organize itself before the upcoming general elections.
A party member from Kaduna, who wishes to remain unidentified, stated that the party's leaders are attempting to undermine it for personal gain.
"They are working diligently to ensure the party remains weak so they can sell the presidency to anyone, which is why you're witnessing all these developments," he said.
The many losses
The party has suffered significant losses because of the ongoing conflicts inside it.
Party members are dissatisfied with the PDP's loss of influence as the primary opposition party in the nation and its inability to unite its supporters.
It is claimed that if the party had been robust, it could have mounted a more vigorous defense to safeguard the Rivers governor, Siminalayi Fubara, during his suspension.
Furthermore, from 2023 until now, it has suffered three significant electoral defeats, including two gubernatorial elections in Edo and Anambra states, as well as rerun elections in several federal and state constituencies.
It lost four governors, including Delta's Sheriff Oborevwori; Akwa Ibom's Umo Eno; Bayelsa's Douye Diri, and Enugu's Peter Mbah, who switched allegiance to the APC, along with significant numbers of important figures such as former vice president Atiku Abubakar; former Senate President David Mark, former minister Adamu Maina Waziri, and numerous former and current members of the National and state assemblies.
Several PDP governors, including that of Taraba, Agbu Kefas, are also expected to switch to the APC.
Despite these setbacks, it seems the PDP has yet to find the approach needed to unite its members in preparation for the challenges ahead.
A member of the party's National Executive Committee, NEC, Timothy Osadolor stated that the PDP still has a chance to restore order within the party before the upcoming general elections, but he also mentioned that if reason does not take hold soon, the party should begin considering the year 2031.
Osadolor, who also serves as the Deputy National Youth Leader, stated, "for the party, PDP, it is not yet dark. We still have some lights that we can surround with firewood to make our fortunes burn more brightly."
Thus, it is these leaders, especially the one determined to hold the convention in Ibadan and his allies, who should descend from their elevated positions and engage with the party's stakeholders and members to collectively determine the most effective path ahead for the party.
The clock is ticking, but I don't believe it's beyond reach. If logic isn't given priority, PDP needs to begin preparing for 2031. If rational thinking doesn't take hold within the next seven days.
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